News Summary
The Milwaukee Public Museum is transitioning to the Nature & Culture Museum of Wisconsin, set to open in 2027. During this process, non-collection items will be repurposed or sold, while the museum’s collections will be preserved and relocated. With features like permanent exhibit galleries and a planetarium, the new facility aims to enhance the visitor experience and showcase Wisconsin’s heritage.
Milwaukee – The Milwaukee Public Museum (MPM) is in the process of transitioning to a new facility, the Nature & Culture Museum of Wisconsin, which is currently under construction. As part of this effort, the museum will systematically repurpose, gift, sell, or dispose of non-collection items that cannot be relocated to the new site, set to open in the first half of 2027.
The items being managed do not belong to the museum’s official collections and primarily include non-collection exhibit items, office furniture, and equipment. It is important to note that Milwaukee County owns the museum’s collections, which will be relocated or stored, ensuring their preservation during the move.
Specific non-collection items that will be addressed include fruits, plants, mannequins, and props that were utilized to enhance various exhibits. The priority for handling these surplus items is to repurpose them as much as possible.
Surplus Item Allocation
In scenarios where repurposing is not feasible, Milwaukee County departments, including the Milwaukee County Zoo, will first have the opportunity to claim surplus items. Following this, other peer institutions, nonprofits, and educational organizations will have access to these items. Tours for eligible groups to review items will occur during the second and third quarters of 2026.
A public sale for any remaining MPM property is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2027, following the museum’s permanent move to the new building. The clean-out process for items deemed non-repurposable will occur toward the end of 2027 and the beginning of 2028.
New Museum Features
The Nature & Culture Museum of Wisconsin will be located at the corner of Sixth and McKinley streets in the Haymarket neighborhood. Design plans for the new museum include a walk-through design for the Milwaukee Revealed gallery, showcasing historical storefronts and businesses. Additionally, five permanent exhibit galleries, a planetarium, a butterfly vivarium, and a rooftop terrace are among the new features expected to enhance the visitor experience.
As of last week, approximately half a million of the total 4 million items, including notable objects like a mannequin named Granny, a penny-farthing bicycle, and Abby, a cat from the Streets of Old Milwaukee exhibit, have been packed in preparation for the relocation.
Transition Timeline
The Streets of Old Milwaukee exhibit will remain open until the current museum closes, which is projected for the end of 2026. The new museum will officially adopt its name, the Nature & Culture Museum of Wisconsin, upon its opening, reflecting the institution’s mission to highlight the relationship between Wisconsin’s natural environment and cultural history.
As for the construction of the new facility, it is reportedly on track, with the final steel beam placement ceremony planned for an upcoming date. This significant milestone marks the continued progress of the new museum, poised to provide a modern and engaging experience for visitors that celebrates Wisconsin’s heritage.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Milwaukee Public Museum Plans Transition to New Facility
Milwaukee Public Museum to Become Nature & Culture Museum
Milwaukee Public Museum Prepares for Relocation
Additional Resources
- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Granny from Streets of Old Milwaukee
- Google Search: Milwaukee Public Museum
- BizTimes: Nature & Culture Museum Construction Progress
- Wikipedia: Nature and Culture Museum of Wisconsin
- Fox11: Milwaukee Public Museum Renaming
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Milwaukee
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.
