Current Exhibits

The Milwaukee County Historical Center will be open during the last phase of restoration beginning in December 2009 and lasting until about August 2010. During Phase IV, the atrium's ornamental plaster ceiling, along with that of the east and west mezzanines will be restored, and a new HVAC system will be installed to the rest of the building.

During this period, the Historical Society will present the "Restoration of City Hall" Exhibition. Milwaukee's City Hall recently completed a $70 million restoration. The exhibition provides historic information on the original construction of the building, as well as details of the recently restoration efforts. Included in the display is a huge lion's head gargoyle, original clock hands from one side of the clock tower, and a Lego model of City Hall, as well as many historic and contemporary photographs.

Traveling Exhibits
As part of the Milwaukee County Historical Society staff’s efforts to continue a visible presence in the Milwaukee community while the headquarters is closed for restoration, these exhibitions were installed in local venues. Please check with the sites for public hours.

January through May 2009
Milwaukee Outdoors: 100 Years of the Milwaukee County Parks System
Location: Boerner Botanical Gardens Administration Building in Whitnall Park, 9400 Boerner Drive, Hales Corners.

February 1 – May 15, 2009
My History is Milwaukee’s History: A Traveling Exhibition Organized in Conjunction with the Children in Urban America Project
Location: Marquette University, Raynor Memorial Library, 1355 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee.

April 17 through August 14, 2009
Wisconsin at Work: Thorsten Lindberg Paintings and Drawings from the MCHS Collection
Location: Grohmann Museum, Milwaukee School of Engineering, 1000 N. Broadway, Milwaukee.

January 17 through March 22, 2009
Lego Land: Model Railroad Show
Location: Mitchell Park Conservatory, The Domes, 524 S. Layton Blvd., Milwaukee. Lego model of City Hall from AIA/MCHS collection will be featured.

Through May 25, 2009
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition

Location: Milwaukee Public Museum, 800 W. Wells St., Milwaukee. A side door and shutter from the Lady Elgin, as well as a painting of the ship;s sinking -- all from the MCHS collection -- are featured in conjunction with the Titanic exhibition.