An A-Z visitors guide to Milwaukee Wisconsin. Sponsored by Key Magazine Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/604620
keymilwaukee.com 23 n Dec. 11, one of the most popular museum exhibits in Wisconsin reopens after a major renovation designed to increase its appeal to contemporary viewers. The Milwaukee Public Museum's Streets of Old Milwaukee walk-through portrait of Milwaukee in the late 19th century opened in 1965. It has been expanded over the years, but the project begun Aug. 3 was the first major renovation. "Most exhibits showcase history," comments Dennis Kois, president and CEO of the internationally recognized museum. "We're very excited to build on that history by implementing changes that will enhance not only the Streets themselves, but deliver the kind of visitor experience contemporary museum-goers expect." In what the museum calls a "re- imagination" of the Streets, visitors will enter via a new life-sized street car that will rumble down tracks and appear (through a clever use of technology) to travel back in time. While viewing new storefronts and businesses, visitors will be able to drop in on conversations between Streets residents and engage in hands-on activities like climbing aboard a penny-farthing high wheeler. "Milwaukee has a history of building world-class, innovative exhibits," explains exhibit director Julian Jackson. "We're building on the shoulders of giants here. Carl Akeley created the very first habitat-style diorama here in 1899. The Indian Crow Bison Hunt was the largest open diorama in the world when it opened in November 1966. The re- imagination of Streets will live up to and build upon that level of quality." "The Streets of Old Milwaukee is probably the most popular exhibit in Wisconsin, and is certainly so for residents of Milwaukee," adds museum director Kois. He explains that the renovation will not only take visitors deeper into the magical experience of going back in time, but also add the voices of Streets residents–something that wasn't part of the original exhibit. Located at 800 W. Wells St. in the heart of downtown, the Milwaukee Public Museum is open from 9 am-5 pm daily, with extended hours until 8 pm on Thursdays. Admission is free on the first Thursday of every month (Dec. 3). The museum is closed on Christmas Day, July 4 and Thanksgiving Day. For additional information, visit mpm.edu. Exhibit makeover revealed Dec. 11 O