If you are a visitor to Milwaukee and enjoy museums, a visit to the Milwaukee Public Museum should not be overlooked. Considered one of the best natural history museums in the United States, the museum houses more than six million objects.
The museum’s Humphrey Imax Dome Theatre offers various educational motion pictures in large format cinematography that conveys a “you are there” feeling to audiences. Climb the daunting heights of Everest. Experience the weightlessness of space. Dive into the undersea world to see incredible creatures. Technically advanced and visually stunning, you’ll be spellbound by the force and beauty of the IMAX® experience.
The museum began amassing its huge collection in 1881. Permanent exhibits are located on three and one-half floors. Space is set aside for traveling and temporary exhibitions.
The Permanent Exhibits consist of:
The Hebior Mammoth
The Hebior Mammoth is a specimen with great significance to the state of Wisconsin. Found less than 30 miles from the MPM on a farm in the small town of Paris in Kenosha County, the mammoth is among a group of important finds that help date the early presence of humans in North America.
Streets of Old Milwaukee
Visit Milwaukee around the turn-of-the-century – roughly the 1880s to just prior to World War I. Buildings are represented at about three-quarters size or less. The streets are constructed from three different styles of paving: granite blocks originally from Buffalo Street, red bricks, and cedar blocks.
The Third Planet
The focus of the hall is the revolutionary concept of plate tectonics which makes the hall the first in North America to use this paradigm as a central theme for the presentation of earth science to the public. The exhibit, by virtue of its dynamic displays and of course, the dinosaurs, is a favorite among MPM visitors of all ages.
Puelicher Butterfly Wing
Transport yourself to a sensory wonderland. Stroll through a lush, tropical garden. Hear the murmur of a cascading waterfall and the soothing sounds of tranquil music. Watch as exotic butterflies emerge from their chrysalises and sip nectar right before your eyes.
One hundred fifty thousand square feet of space is dedicated to Africa, Asia, Europe, the Arctic, South and Middle America, the Pacific Islands and the Trimbina Rainforest of Costa Rica.
Old Milwaukee is represented in a turn-of-the century display and the prehistoric world is partially recreated with a life-sized replica of Tyrannosaurus Rex and the world’s largest-known real dinosaur skull.
Plant life is not overlooked and the museum’s extensive botanical collections, both living and preserved, are used for purposes of exhibition, study and education. Live plants are kept in the museum greenhouse which is located on the roof of the building.
Conveniently located in Downtown Milwaukee just minutes from the Interstate, the Milwaukee Public Museum, which is one of the largest of its kind in the United States, is open Monday thru Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm and Sunday from noon to 5 pm. The museum is closed to the public only three times a year: on the 4th of July, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Admission charges are:
$12 for adults (18-59), $10 for teens (13-17), seniors (60+) and college students with ID, and $8 for children (3-12). Children age 2 and under are admitted free.
• Museum members with member’s card are admitted free.
• Reduced fees for groups with advanced registration.
• Mondays are free to all Milwaukee County residents with proper identification.
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