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Calendar of Events
MILWAUKEE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY TO “UNLOCK THE VAULT”
MCHS announces a year-long celebration to commemorate its 75 year history
January 1, 2010 will mark the commencement of the Milwaukee County Historical Society’s 75th Anniversary celebration. This year-long celebration includes special exhibits, events, contests and a wondrous look at our present and past.
Each month, beginning in January, MCHS will “Unlock The Vault” and showcase seldom-seen artifacts from the collection. In total, 75 rare artifacts will be revealed by year’s end. All items will be on exhibit at MCHS beginning the fal following completion of the Society's on-going building restoration.
Friday, January 1-Sunday January 31
Logo Contest for the entire community
MCHS is celebrating 75 years in 2010 and needs a new look to update its own history. The winning logo will be used in all material and communications moving forward. Click here for more details.
Monday, January 4
Reopening of the Research Library
Location: Milwaukee County Historical Society, 910 N. Old World 3rd St. Genealogists and Researchers will be pleased to know that the Harry H. Anderson Research Library at the Milwaukee County Historical Society will reopen for business on Monday, January 4, 2010. Library hours will be Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Click here for more information.
Tuesday, February 2 - 7:00 p.m.
Queens of Harmony Performance
Location: Loos Room, Central Library, 733 N 8th Street
Cost: Free
The Historical Society is joining the Milwaukee Public Library in hosting a special Black History Month Concert of African-American a cappella gospel music performed by Milwaukee's own Queens of Harmony. Because the Society will still be under construction, the concert will be held in the Loos Room at the Central Library. The Queens of Harmony will perform a number of selections from their new CD Walk With Me Lord, and copies of the recording will be available for sale after their performance.
Friday February 5
Deadline for Logo Contest Submissions
MCHS is celebrating 75 years in 2010 and needs a new look to update its own history. The winning logo will be used in all material and communications moving forward. Click here for more details.
Thursday, February 25
Friends 16th Annual Ethnic Dinner
Location: John Hawks Pub, 100 East Wisconsin Avenue
Cost: $35.00 Friends Members, $45.00 Non-Members
Join us for the Friends 16th Annual Ethnic Dinner. This year's program will celebrate the Welsh community with dinner at John Hawks Pub. Welsh food, culture, and traditions, such as spoon courting, are sure to make for a great evening! If you would like to donate to our Silent Auction that night, please contact the Society at 414-529-7744 or Email.
Information to come!
Saturday, April 17 – 10:00am to 4:00pm
Kenosha Day Trip
Location: Meet at Trimborn Farm, 8881 West Grange Avenue, Greendale
Cost: $50.00
Take a ride into historic Kenosha with the Friends of the Milwaukee County Historical Society on Saturday, April 17, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Roundtrip transportation to Kenosha, a ride on the restored “Electric Streetcar,” a visit to the Civil War Museum, and lunch at Franks Diner are included in the price.
Monday, April 26, 5:30 p.m.
57th Annual Recognition Banquet
Location: Pfister Hotel, 424 East Wisconsin Avenue
Cost: $50 per person
$75 Anniversary level – includes 75th Anniversary commemorative gift
$750 Non-profit table
$1,500 corporate table of eight
Every year since 1954, the Milwaukee County Historical Society has honored individuals, community organizations and business that have worked diligently to preserve and promote local history. This year’s event will include many special guests and features to celebrate the Society’s 75th Anniversary. The winner of the 75th Anniversary Logo Contest will be announced at the banquet.
Saturday, May 15 - 10:00am to 4:00pm
5th Annual Folk Art and Craft Show & Sale
Location: Trimborn Farm, 8881 West Grange Avenue, Greendale
Admission: $2.00
Join us for our fifth Folk Art Show and Sale, featuring contemporary and traditional folk artists and craftspeople selling their wares. New folk artists are joining this show each year.
Tours of historic Trimborn Farm’s buildings and the adjacent Jeremiah Curtin House will be offered all day. Both properties are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and are Milwaukee County Landmarks.
Sunday, May 16 - 8:30am to 12:00pm
Trimborn Farm Workshop: Introduction to Folk Painting
Location: Trimborn Farm, 8881 West Grange Avenue, Greendale
Cost: $30 MCHS members, $35 non-members
Ages: 15 and up
Registration: Registration Form, Call 414-529-7744 or Email
Registration Deadline: Friday, April 2
The workshop will begin with a brief history and background of folk painting. A small exhibit will include examples of Norwegian Rosemaling, Bavarian Bauernmalerei, Russian Zhostovo, Dutch Hindeloopen, Dutch Assendelfter, and Early American folk painting. A demonstration will include basic strokes used in all folk painting. Students will practice strokes, then use acrylic paints to create a composition. Registration includes major supplies, though students will be asked to bring some small household items. No prior painting experience is required! Class size is limited to 15 people.
Wednesday, June 16 – 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Trimborn Ethnic Concert: Ceol Cairde – “Music of Friends”
Location: Trimborn Farm, 8881 West Grange Avenue, Greendale
Cost: Free! Donations appreciated
Ages: All
Enjoy traditional Irish and Celtic music in a completely unique setting at the 1st Trimborn Farm Ethnic Concert! Ceol Cairde members share the energy and spirit of the traditional Irish music they enjoy so much. The irresistible blending of their instruments provides the unique sound that is the “Music of Friends.” Tours of the site will be available prior to the concert at the reduced rate of $3 per person. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Sponsored by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board.
Thursday, June 17 – 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Trimborn Drop-In Program: Paper Fireworks
Location: Trimborn Farm, 8881 West Grange Avenue, Greendale
Cost: $5, includes site tour
Ages: All
Get ready for the 4th of July the way children in the 19th century did! Fireworks are an integral part of the celebrations. Children of all ages can make safe, fun fireworks that can be used any time of day. Make paper parachutes, thunderbolts, whirls, and pinwheels to celebrate Independence Day.
Tuesday, June 22 - 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Trimborn Farm Workshop: Introduction to Multi-Media Family Painting
Location: Trimborn Farm, 8881 West Grange Avenue, Greendale
Cost: $25 MCHS members, $30 non-members
Ages: family groups welcome
Registration: Registration Form, Call 414-529-7744 or Email
Registration Deadline: Friday, May 7
Della Wells’ work evokes everyday scenes and cultural values. Students will learn about the process for creating a mixed media artwork. Then, using found objects, Ms. Wells will guide students in creating a mixed media piece that represents art, culture, and their own personal family history. All major supplies will be provided, but students are strongly encouraged to bring photographs, old jewelry, old clothing, buttons, stickers, or other objects that represent their families. Individuals are welcome to register separately. Families are also encouraged to sign up and create a work of art together. Families do not need to register individually. Class size limited to 15 individuals/family groups.
Wednesday, July 21 - 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Trimborn Ethnic Concert: Big John and His Little German Band
Location: Trimborn Farm, 8881 West Grange Avenue, Greendale
Cost: Free! Donations appreciated
Ages: All
Village of Greendale originals Big John and His Little German Band will perform a variety of German music selections for everyone’s enjoyment. Tours of the site will be available prior to the concert at the reduced rate of $3 per person. Refreshments will be available for purchase.
Thursday, July 22 – 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Trimborn Drop-In Program: Whirligigs and Chromatropes
Location: Trimborn Farm, 8881 West Grange Avenue, Greendale
Cost: $5, includes site tour
Ages: All
Whirligigs and chromatropes were popular 19th century buzz-saw toys. As you pull the strings on these delightful toys, they make a buzzing sound. Chromatropes are similar to whirligigs but more colorful. At this program, visitors will be able to make their own whirligig and chromatrope.
Tuesday, July 27 - 8:30am to 3:00pm
Trimborn Farm Workshop: Folk Painting
Location: Trimborn Farm, 8881 West Grange Avenue, Greendale
Cost: $60 MCHS members, $70 non-members
Ages: 15 and up
Registration: Registration Form, Call 414-529-7744 or Email
Registration Deadline: Friday, June 4
Thursday, July 29 – 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Trimborn Drop-In Program: 19th Century Games
Location: Trimborn Farm, 8881 West Grange Avenue, Greendale
Cost: $5, includes site tour
Ages: All
What did children do before video games, computers, and television? They played graces, hoops and sticks, and held sack races! Visitors can test their skills at a variety of 19th century games.
Thursday, August 12 – 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Trimborn Drop-In Program: Parlor Games
Location: Trimborn Farm, 8881 West Grange Avenue, Greendale
Cost: $5, includes site tour
Ages: All
Use your imagination to participate in the many indoor games played in the past. Visitors of all ages can try their hands at familiar games like charades and bean bags, and explore popular Victorian games like hide in sight, hunt the slipper, and others!
Wednesday, August 18 – 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Trimborn Ethnic Concert: Blaskapelle Milwaukee
Location: Trimborn Farm, 8881 West Grange Avenue, Greendale
Cost: Free! Donations appreciated
Ages: All
Blaskapelle Milwaukee will complete the inaugural concert series. They play in the European Blasmusik style and are one of the newest and youngest performing groups in Milwaukee. Tours of the site will be available prior to the concert at the reduced rate of $3 per person. Refreshments will be available for purchase.
Thursday, August 19 – 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Trimborn Drop-In Program: Nature Prints
Location: Trimborn Farm, 8881 West Grange Avenue, Greendale
Cost: $5, includes site tour
Ages: All
Nineteenth-century Wisconsin residents had a very close relationship with nature. Making nature prints was a creative way to collect and study the world. Visitors will have a chance to create their own nature print pages like those kept in 19th century impression albums.
Monday, September 6
Cardinals/Brewers Game & Tailgate
Location: Miller Park, 201 South 46th Street
Cost: TBA
Spend Labor Day with the Friends of MCHS as we cheer on the Milwaukee Brewers against the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday, September 6. Tickets include a tailgate party before the game and terrace level seats.
Saturday and Sunday, September 11 & 12 - 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
28th Harvest of Art and Crafts
Location: Trimborn Farm, 8881 West Grange Avenue, Greendale
Admission: $4.00 per person
Celebrate this annual showcase of artists and craftspeople from throughout the upper Midwest. 130 exhibitors will sell thousands of unique creations in numerous media. With booths throughout the grounds and in the historic buildings, this renowned event will help you get an early start on your holiday shopping. We’re also featuring musical entertainment, children’s activities, and a spouses' waiting area televising the Packers if they are playing!
If you are an artist who would like to be considered as an exhibitor, download the 2010 Harvest Application for the show here. Please complete the Harvest Tax Form and include it with your Application.
Thursday, September 23 – 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Trimborn Drop-In Program: Cornhusk Doll Making
Location: Trimborn Farm, 8881 West Grange Avenue, Greendale
Cost: $5, includes site tour
Ages: All
Children once delighted in homemade toys, such as cornhusk dolls. Visitors will have the opportunity to make and keep their own cornhusk doll.
Saturday and Sunday, October 2 & 3 - 10:00 to 4:00
7th Annual Civil War Encampment
Location: Trimborn Farm, 8881 West Grange Avenue, Greendale
Cost: $3.00 adults, $2.00 seniors/students
Step into the world of Union and Confederate soldiers, cavalry, settlers, camp followers, and civilians. Re-enactors represent famous Civil War figures, cook meals, sell goods, demonstrate equipment and weapons, and fight mock skirmishes. Find out what life was like for soldiers and civilians during this tumultuous period in our nation’s history.
Information to come!
Information to come!
©2008 Milwaukee County Historical Society | 910 N. Old World Third Street | Milwaukee, WI 53203
Phone: 414-273-8288 | Fax: 414-273-3268 | Email Us
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