Forest Home Hills in Milwaukee in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Chinese Cemetery Garden

華人墓園

Photographed by Eric Kuntz, September 11, 2026

1. Chinese Cemetery Garden Marker, Side One

Inscription. Section 48 is the final resting place for many deceased Milwaukee Chinese people. The Chinese Relief Association, established on December 11, 1947, by businessmen Joe Wong. Evan Gong, and Chiu Shing, supported the Chinese who lived and died in Milwaukee. The Association initially purchased 64 graves in 1947 and added 51 graves in 1952. Block 1, Lot 6 and Block 40. Lot 6 are the earliest burial sites of many Chinese men who worked in the Milwaukee area. The Chinese Exclusion Act (1882-1943) prevented the men from bringing their families over from China or marrying, so they died as bachelors.

Chinese families who wished to be buried near their spouses or relatives purchased additional lots. Nearly 100 additional lots were purchased by the Relief Association and later by the Chinese Community Baptist Church. which managed the remaining lots and dedicated them to those who needed aid.

Chinese people pay special respects to their departed ancestors during Ching Ming (Qingming or Tomb Sweeping Day), a period that starts 106 days after the December Winter Solstice and lasts for two weeks. This practice started 2,500 years

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ago in the Zhou Dynasty. A family visits and cleans their relatives' graves. They place flowers and favorite fruits and meat dishes on the site, offer some wine, burn incense and paper money, and bow three times. These acts commemorate and honor family heritage while reflecting the continuity between generations.

Erected 2026 by Organization of Chinese Americans-Wisconsin, Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 636.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites. In addition, it is included in the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, and the Wisconsin Historical Society series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is December 11, 1947.

Location. 42° 59.72′ N, 87° 56.553′ W. Marker is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in Milwaukee County. It is in Forest Home Hills. It can be reached from West Cleveland Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located in Section 48 of Forest Home Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2001 W Cleveland Avenue, Milwaukee WI 53215, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this

Chinese Cemetery Garden Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Eric Kuntz, September 11, 2026

2. Chinese Cemetery Garden Marker, Side Two

marker is in Southeast Wisconsin. It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Edward George Ryan (approx. 0.2 miles away); Byron Kilbourn (approx. ¼ mile away); In memory of Franklin Van Valkenburgh (approx. ¼ mile away); Orville Cadwell (approx. ¼ mile away); Joseph Schlitz (approx. ¼ mile away); Forest Home Soldiers' Lot (approx. ¼ mile away); Mathias Stein (approx. 0.4 miles away); Jacob Best (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Milwaukee.

Also see . . . Forest Home Cemetery historical marker honors Chinese tomb sweeping tradition (WUWM, 4/7/26). (Submitted on September 14, 2026.)

Chinese Cemetery Garden Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Eric Kuntz, September 11, 2026

3. Chinese Cemetery Garden Marker

Wide View

Photographed by Eric Kuntz, September 11, 2026

4. Chinese Cemetery Garden Marker

Gravestones behind marker

Photographed by Eric Kuntz, September 11, 2026

5. Chinese Cemetery Garden Marker

Close up of grave stone

Credits. This page was last revised on September 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2026, by Eric Kuntz of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 21 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 13, 2026, by Eric Kuntz of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.