Henry Maier

Who was Henry Maier?

Henry Walter Maier was an American politician and mayor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from 1960 to 1988.

Maier was born in Dayton, Ohio. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a master's degree from University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.

A member of the Democratic Party, Maier was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 1950. In 1960 he was elected Milwaukee's mayor, succeeding Frank Zeidler, the last of Milwaukee's socialist mayors. Maier remained in office for 28 years, succeeded by John Norquist in 1988. He was the longest serving mayor in Milwaukee history.

Maier died of pneumonia at age 76 at his home in Delafield, Wisconsin.

The Henry Maier Festival Park, the venue for Summerfest as well as numerous other events, is named in his honor.