The forty-one foot tall Haida totem pole known as “Ignatz” was acquired by C. F.
Newcombe and then purchased by the Milwaukee Public Museum in 1921 by its director
Dr. S. A. Barrett. In 1922, it was installed in front of the shared museum/library
building and became a source of controversy. Many, including Alderman John Koerner,
voiced objections to the totem pole’s installation. Opponents were defeated and
Ignatz was allowed to remain. It stayed in place on Wisconsin Ave. until 1963, when
it was removed, restored and installed in front of the Museum’s new location on
Wells St. (across the street from the previous building). It was removed again in
1980 due to environmental deterioration, and the upper half was later moved inside
the Museum.
