Plans are in the works to erect two historical markers this year to commemorate the role Chinese Americans played in Wisconsin’s history.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports the first will be placed at the historic Forest Home Cemetery where hundreds of Chinese immigrants are buried.

The second will commemorate how the establishments of Chinese laundries in the state played not only a role in the economy but helped Chinese overcome the racism and discrimination they felt after the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882.

“Knowing that there was a place for (Chinese) families who came to Milwaukee and… to know that Chinese labor was part of the labor that built Milwaukee is really meaningful,” said Chinese American Adam Carr to WPR.

Carr joined with OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates to create the markers which are expected to go this summer and fall. 90 Chinese people lived in Milwaukee by 1887. They opened some 30 laundries, mostly in the downtown area.

These two markers are part of a group of 12 that will be added to honor the role of underrepresented groups in the state.

“We decided to issue a special call for marker topics that are currently underrepresented,” said Mallory Hanson, the statewide services coordinator at the Wisconsin Historical Society to WUWM. ” We’re thrilled to see there was a lot of enthusiasm for it. We reached out to contacts throughout the state, encouraging them to apply. I think everyone was excited about the program and opportunity to participate.”

Funding for the program came from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation. The 12 new markers will be addition to the 600 already placed throughout the state.

“Part of the reason for the markers is so that we honor (Milwaukee’s early Chinese immigrants) and make sure that period of time is not forgotten,” Wong said. “Racism existed, and some people, even the younger Chinese, might not understand the generations of hardships they had to go through,” said Anna Wong of OCA-Wisconsin.

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