News Summary
The Milwaukee Public Museum is set to undergo a significant transformation into the Nature & Culture Museum of Wisconsin by 2027. This involves relocating many items, including non-collection exhibits and office furniture. Key items like a penny farthing bicycle and a meowing cat from the Streets of Old Milwaukee exhibit will transition to the new facility. Eligible groups will have opportunities to claim surplus items before they are sold publicly. The museum aims to engage a broader audience by connecting natural history and culture through new exhibits and amenities.
Milwaukee – The Milwaukee Public Museum (MPM) is set to transform into the Nature & Culture Museum of Wisconsin in 2027, with significant plans for the future involving the relocation of items as part of the transition. Key aspects of this move include the repurposing, gifting, selling, or disposal of non-collection items that cannot be transferred to the new facility, which is currently under construction at the corner of Sixth and McKinley streets in Milwaukee’s Haymarket neighborhood.
Items that will be affected by this transition include non-collection exhibits, office furniture, equipment, and built environments that are not permanently affixed to the building. Examples of non-collection items include fruits, plants, mannequins, and other props that were previously used for exhibits.
The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors Committee on Parks and Culture recently received a report detailing these changes from MPM. Erica Goblet, economic development project manager for Milwaukee County, confirmed that the museum’s collection—which includes valuable fossils, artifacts, and specimens—will be preserved and moved to the new museum or placed into storage. The MPM has assured that no collection items will be reclassified during this process, and the priority remains to repurpose surplus items effectively.
Notable items confirmed for the move to the Nature & Culture Museum of Wisconsin include a penny farthing bicycle affectionately named “Granny” and a meowing cat named “Abby,” both from the Streets of Old Milwaukee exhibit. The initial opportunity to claim the non-repurposed items will be given to Milwaukee County departments, including the Milwaukee County Zoo and Mitchell Park Domes. Once those departments have an opportunity, peer institutions, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and traveling exhibition companies will be afforded chances to claim the items.
In preparation for this, tours will be organized for eligible groups in the second and third quarters of 2026 to help identify and tag items that may be available. Any remaining MPM property that does not find a new purpose will be sold during a public sale in the fourth quarter of 2027, following the museum’s relocation. Moreover, items that cannot be repurposed or passed on to other institutions will be appropriately discarded in late 2027 or early 2028, after a final clean-out of the old premises.
The Nature & Culture Museum of Wisconsin is scheduled to open in the first half of 2027, with its construction already underway. Current reports indicate that as of last week, MPM has successfully packed approximately half a million of the 4 million items that will be moved. Progress on the building’s construction is on track, with the exterior work projected to be completed by the end of this year.
The new museum will feature five permanent exhibit galleries, including “Time Travel” and “Milwaukee Revealed,” along with several other engaging spaces designed to enrich the visitor experience. Upon its opening, MPM will adopt a new name and logo that better conveys its mission, placing a focus on connecting the narratives of natural history and culture for a wider audience. This change is reflective of the museum’s visitor demographics, as nearly half of its guests come from outside Milwaukee County.
Additionally, the Milwaukee Museum Center will encompass the entire complex, which will include the new museum, the Daniel M. Soref Planetarium, and various amenities, such as a café and outdoor commons area. The existing Milwaukee Public Museum is anticipated to remain open until late 2026, allowing for a smooth transition into the new facility.
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Additional Resources
- BizTimes: Construction Progress for the Nature & Culture Museum of Wisconsin
- Wikipedia: Milwaukee Public Museum
- OnMilwaukee: Tour Nature and Culture Museum of Wisconsin
- Google Search: Nature Culture Museum of Wisconsin
- Jsonline: Milwaukee Public Museum to be Renamed Nature & Culture Museum of Wisconsin
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Museum
- Milwaukee Record: Milwaukee Public Museum’s New Name
- Google News: Milwaukee Public Museum Nature Culture Museum
Author: STAFF HERE MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
