OLD WORLD WISCONSIN

Sitting on over 400 acres in the heart of the Kettle Moraine State Forest is Old World Wisconsin. Old World Wisconsin is a living, breathing museum depicting American life in the 1800's. While similar villages and museums can be found throughout the country, none can rival the size of Old World Wisconsin. This is the largest museum of this type in the country.

The museum is home to over 60 different buildings and structures. When the grounds opened in 1974, there were originally 8 structures on the property. Over time, historic buildings from Wisconsin have been dismantled from their original locations and brought to Old World Wisconsin to be resurrected. The buildings are laid out in a manner to reflect various ethnic groups. These groups, or villages, provide a sense of continuity.

This farm belongs to a group of buildings in the Finnish village. The small building to the right was the outhouse!

Old World Wisconsin is far more than just buildings and villages. They are living, functioning settlements. Throughout the various villages, you will encounter people going about their daily life. You might come upon a blacksmith forging wagon wheels or horse shoes, a teacher giving a lesson in the school house, or a woman tending to her chores while her husband plows the fields.

These people who breathe life into the village are the real magic to the village. Rather than just meander throughout the streets, they serve a purpose. They are in tune with the buildings, the tools of the era and lifestyle. In Old World Wisconsin, a spinning wheel is not just an accent piece for an old home, but rather a functioning tool used daily to make clothing or linens.

Even more astonishing is that the supplies used in conjunction with the tools actually comes from the fields and gardens of Old World Wisconsin. The cotton used in the spinning wheel is from one of the many living fields on the property. As you walk into the small homes, you will notice the tables have fresh fruit, eggs and bread. All of this comes from the land.

In the school house, you may find yourself learning about the history of Wisconsin and how in 1848 it became a state. Perhaps you will need to grab a piece of chalk to do some arithmetic on your slate. Watch your manners or you could end up in the corner with the dunce hat!

Old World Wisconsin is perfect for the entire family. The interactive atmosphere with the early pioneers provides the chance to ask questions, participate in various tasks and be part of the history that Old World Wisconsin has worked so well to preserve.

Old World Wisconsin Website

MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM

Milwaukee architecture varies from classic to modern. Movable parts can be found in the mesmerizing roof of Miller Park, as well as the wing like design of the Milwaukee Art Museum. Sitting on the shore of Lake Michigan, the post-modern design of the Quadracci Pavilion by Santiago Calatrava, incorporates elements of the original 1957 building, maritime themes and hints of Frank Lloyd Wright.

Looking at the building, one would never guess that the museum is one of the largest in the country with a collection of over 25,000 works. The collections range from Ancient Art to Pop Art. There is surely something for every art lover.

One of the most popular pieces the gallery houses is a collection of Marilyn Monroe screen prints from Andy Warhol. The 1962 silk screen prints captured the pop icon in fluorescent hues ranging from teal blue to hot pink.

The Marilyn Monroe prints are elegantly displayed against a white wall with nothing to distract. Soaking them in, you can feel life to them which can not be felt when looking at the images in a book or on a computer screen.

For art lovers who prefer the complexities of the Impressionist Movement, you will find yourself mesmerized by the brush strokes of Claude Monet. From afar, the painting seems simple. However the painting is placed where the viewer can get right up close to it. As you look further into the painting, each stroke becomes far more intricate. Yellows, purples and the brightest colors line each wave. A small boat appears out of the fog. A bridge with tunnels pops out of the fog and mist. Smokestacks billow over the town. It doesn't take much time to understand why Monet's works are masterpieces.

There is no end to the artists represented in the collection. A Picasso teases the viewer with it's simplistic lines. Kadinsky's mesmerize the eye with controlled chaos. Pollock, Rothko and O'Keefe all bring their unique styles to their designated walls. But the gallery is so much more than paintings. Photography, Folk Art and Sculptures are also on display in the museum. Perhaps one of the most intriguing sections of the museums is the influence of art on mid-century furnishings and the art deco  design of appliances ranging from radios to toasters.

The Milwaukee Art Museum is a worthwhile visit to anyone in the area. True art connoisseurs will be pleased by the diverse representation of artists across all genres. For those less knowledgeable about art, the museum is arranged in a manner to make the displays interesting and enjoyable.

Milwaukee Art Museum Official Website