The collection contains various records of the Board of Harbor Commissioners from
1909 to 1988, including operational records of the Port of Milwaukee, audio
recordings of meetings of the Board of Harbor Commissioners, correspondence of the
Port Director, newspaper clippings, and drawings concerning harbor development. The
official record of the Board of Harbor Commissioners’ meetings is contained in
numerous ¼” reel to reel audiotapes from 1968 to 1986. The collection also contains
various operational reports, including daily and monthly reports of vessels at dock,
annual reports, and of vessel arrivals and departures.
There are also materials from Port Director Harry Brockel, who was keenly interested
in the improvement of the St. Lawrence Seaway. He corresponded with elected
officials and others involved with commerce on the Great Lakes, and testified before
legislative panels on the subject. He helped organize a celebration in Milwaukee on
the opening of the improved Seaway in July 1959. Diversion of Great Lakes water was
also a subject of correspondence between the Port Director and other officials.
