Get to know the MPA Board
Krystal Meisel
- I descend from Russian Jews who escaped the Pogroms in the Pale of Settlements and Sicilians who left Bagheria after WWI. My family members built new lives and contributed to Milwaukee. As I search for traces of their physical presence here I find that freeways have been built over their homes and churches and their synagogues are still standing where only the stained glass remains to tell the story of their perseverance. Stewardship and awareness of the historic, cultural, and economic value of Milwaukee's built heritage is personal for me because the complexity and nuance of my past is intertwined in the buildings that remain.
1. What three words best define you?
Magic, History, Justice
2. What is your guiding principle?
"We know, in the case of the person, that whoever cannot tell himself the truth about his past is trapped in it, is immobilized in the prison of his undiscovered self. This is also true of nations.” - James Baldwin, The Creative Process
3. What’s your favorite book?
The Map of Salt and Stars by Zeyn Joukhadar
4. What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I am a really good collage artist!
5. What is your favorite free time activity?
Digging for old records in obscure archives.
6. Where is your favorite place in Milwaukee? Outside of Milwaukee?
In Milwaukee: Research Library of the Milwaukee County Historical Society
Outside Milwaukee: Museo Etnografico Siciliano Giuseppe Pitrè in Palermo
7. If you could become a fictional character for a day, who would it be?
Marty McFly in Back to the Future - time travel, every history geek’s dream!
8. What inspires you and why?
As a classroom teacher and coach of over 15 years I have witnessed the impact of the Self-Fulling Prophecy Theory many times. One’s expectations or beliefs can lead to their own fulfillment and that of those they are leading. The human mind is a powerful or destructive tool and this nuance deserves awareness and recognition.
9. What do you see as the future of historic preservation?
The future of historic preservation is in advocating for and facilitating the return of the power of storytelling and digital preservation to the direct and connected descendants of historic places.
10. Why should people support MPA?
Support MPA to preserve the footprints of our shared story. When we save historic places we’re not just protecting buildings we’re safeguarding spaces where future generations can experience Milwaukee’s soul, creativity, and resilience. Each preserved building holds the echoes of lives lived and dreams realized, inspiring us to be thoughtful stewards of our city’s legacy.
Magic, History, Justice
2. What is your guiding principle?
"We know, in the case of the person, that whoever cannot tell himself the truth about his past is trapped in it, is immobilized in the prison of his undiscovered self. This is also true of nations.” - James Baldwin, The Creative Process
3. What’s your favorite book?
The Map of Salt and Stars by Zeyn Joukhadar
4. What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I am a really good collage artist!
5. What is your favorite free time activity?
Digging for old records in obscure archives.
6. Where is your favorite place in Milwaukee? Outside of Milwaukee?
In Milwaukee: Research Library of the Milwaukee County Historical Society
Outside Milwaukee: Museo Etnografico Siciliano Giuseppe Pitrè in Palermo
7. If you could become a fictional character for a day, who would it be?
Marty McFly in Back to the Future - time travel, every history geek’s dream!
8. What inspires you and why?
As a classroom teacher and coach of over 15 years I have witnessed the impact of the Self-Fulling Prophecy Theory many times. One’s expectations or beliefs can lead to their own fulfillment and that of those they are leading. The human mind is a powerful or destructive tool and this nuance deserves awareness and recognition.
9. What do you see as the future of historic preservation?
The future of historic preservation is in advocating for and facilitating the return of the power of storytelling and digital preservation to the direct and connected descendants of historic places.
10. Why should people support MPA?
Support MPA to preserve the footprints of our shared story. When we save historic places we’re not just protecting buildings we’re safeguarding spaces where future generations can experience Milwaukee’s soul, creativity, and resilience. Each preserved building holds the echoes of lives lived and dreams realized, inspiring us to be thoughtful stewards of our city’s legacy.
