News Summary
The Milwaukee Public Museum has outlined a strategic plan to repurpose, sell, or dispose of non-collection items ahead of its move to the new Nature & Culture Museum of Wisconsin. This transition includes allowing local departments first dibs on these items before a public sale in 2027. The new museum aims to blend natural history and diverse cultures and is set to open in 2027, enhancing the community’s educational and cultural offerings.
Milwaukee – The Milwaukee Public Museum (MPM) has announced plans to repurpose, gift, sell, or dispose of non-collection items that cannot be moved to the upcoming Nature & Culture Museum of Wisconsin, which is currently under construction. The plan was presented to the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors Committee on Parks and Culture, highlighting a strategic approach as the museum prepares for its transition.
Non-collection items encompass a range of materials, including exhibit props, office furniture, equipment, and certain structural elements that are not permanently attached to the building. The museum’s collection, which is owned by Milwaukee County, will be preserved and appropriately relocated to the new facility or stored securely. MPM has confirmed that items such as Granny, a mannequin, a penny-farthing bicycle, and Abby, a meowing cat, will be among those items making the move.
Prioritizing efficiency, MPM plans to allow Milwaukee County departments the first opportunity to claim these non-collection items before they are offered to other institutions, including the Milwaukee Art Museum and Discovery World, in addition to nonprofit organizations and educational establishments. Specific arrangements are in place for government departments to participate in walkthroughs to tag items in 2026, ensuring that useful goods are repurposed before further disposal.
After the museum transitions to its new building, remaining non-collection items will be subjected to a public sale scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2027. Any materials that cannot be repurposed or transferred will undergo proper disposal, with the final clean-out projected to take place between the end of 2027 and early 2028.
Located at the intersection of Sixth and McKinley streets in the Haymarket neighborhood of downtown Milwaukee, the new museum facility is slated for a move-in date in the first half of 2027. To date, approximately half a million out of a total of four million items have been packed in preparation for this significant transition.
The newly designed facility, which will carry the name Nature & Culture Museum of Wisconsin, seeks to encapsulate the intertwined narratives of the natural environment and the rich tapestry of diverse cultures. The change in name is intended to align with this mission while also addressing past controversies regarding the museum’s historical implications and funding sources.
Historically, local taxpayers have subsidized the operations of the museum. However, the museum is now transitioning to a private entity to manage its functions post-construction. This shift is expected to enhance its operational capacity and enable the museum to pursue state funding more effectively, broadening its appeal beyond Milwaukee County.
The Nature & Culture Museum of Wisconsin will introduce five permanent exhibit galleries, alongside amenities such as a planetarium and outdoor spaces, enriching the experience for visitors. As MPM continues to navigate these changes, the community remains engaged in discussions about the future of the museum and its role in education and cultural representation.
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Additional Resources
- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Granny’s Place in New Museum
- BizTimes: Nature & Culture Museum Construction Progress
- OnMilwaukee: Tour of Nature & Culture Museum
- Fox 11: Milwaukee Museum Name Change
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Milwaukee Public 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.
