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MCHS TO “UNLOCK THE VAULT”

MCHS announces a year long celebration to commemorate their 75 year history

MILWAUKEE, WI, December 30, 2009 – January 1, 2010 will mark the commencement of the Milwaukee County Historical Society’s 75th Anniversary celebration. This year-long celebration includes special exhibits and events, contests and a wondrous look at our present and past.

Each month, beginning in January, MCHS will “Unlock The Vault” and showcase never-viewed-before 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 November 1, 2010.

“We encourage the public to visit our website at www.milwaukeehistory.net often to get information on all the events that are happening throughout the year,” says Michael Reuter, curator of collections for MCHS. “We hope that this celebration to mark our 75 years helps all of us connect with our rich and colorful past, thereby encouraging for an even brighter future”.

Among the events that will take place during the year are the unveiling of special artifacts, a historic pub crawl, celebrations of specific cultural histories, trivia nights and year-long birthday parties. In addition, MCHS will don a new look this year and unveil a community-selected logo at their awards banquet in April. Sponsorship opportunities and other ways to get involved are available by contacting Mary Vitrano at MCHS. For additional information regarding the 75th Anniversary Celebration go to www.milwaukeehistory.net or call 414-273-8288.

The Milwaukee County Historical Society was founded in 1935. Their mission is to preserve the history of Milwaukee County and to communicate its importance to residents and visitors alike. This is accomplished through the collection, preservation and presentation of Milwaukee County artifacts and archival materials. In promoting a greater appreciation of Milwaukee County's heritage, the Milwaukee County Historical Society hopes to develop a better understanding of the issues and challenges facing Milwaukee County today.

OPPORTUNITY TO “DESIGN HISTORY”

MCHS announces a logo design contest to commemorate their 75 year history

MILWAUKEE, WI, December 30, 2009 –The Milwaukee County Historical Society announces it’s “Design History” logo contest. MCHS will celebrate 75 years in 2010 and needs a new look to update their own history. The winning logo will be used in all material and communications moving forward.

The contest is open to anyone. Rules and guidelines can be obtained from the MCHS website at www.milwaukeehistory.net. Submissions will be accepted until Friday, February 5, 2010.

“We know that there is plenty of vision and talent right here in our community,” says Robert Teske, executive director of MCHS. “We think this is a special opportunity for our creative community to put their own mark on history and hope that submissions reflect that”. A local panel representing MCHS and the design and art community will select three finalists. The public will then be invited to vote for their favorite design online in the month of March. The winning design will be unveiled at the MCHS Awards Dinner in April.

Other events will take place during the year to mark the 75th Anniversary and include the unveiling of special artifacts, a historic pub crawl, celebrations of specific cultural histories, trivia nights and multiple birthday parties. For additional information regarding the “Design History” logo contest or the 75th Anniversary Celebration go to www.milwaukeehistory.net or call Mary Vitrano at 414-273-8288.

MILWAUKEE CITY RESTORATION EXHIBITION

In conjunction with the fourth phase of its on-going building restoration project, the Milwaukee County Historical Society, 910 N. Old World 3rd St., Milwaukee will host an exhibition documenting another major restoration effort -- the recently-completed $70 million restoration of Milwaukee’s City Hall.

The City Hall Restoration exhibit is scheduled to remain on display through July 31, 2010.

Developed by the Department of Public Works, the exhibit was briefly displayed on the ground floor of City Hall during December 2008 and January 2009 when the “City Hall Restoration Celebration” took place.

The City Hall Restoration exhibit features twenty-five colorful photo and text panels, as well as numerous examples of artifacts and building materials associated with the restoration process. Following an introductory section which describes the original construction of architect Henry Koch’s iconic structure in 1896, the exhibition documents the deteriorated condition of the building one hundred years later which prompted the restoration.

The central section of the exhibit explores the methods and materials employed in the restoration process – miles of scaffolding, thousands of pressed bricks, 13,000 terra cotta decorative elements, slate roofing materials, copper columns and capitals, even the four-sided clock that has long graced the south tower of City Hall.

Complementing the interpretive text and photographs are a number of especially interesting artifacts which give a very immediate sense of the grand scale of City Hall. A copper column capital from the grouping near the top of the south tower stands nearly three feet tall. A pair of hands from the tower clock that once extended across a 15-foot face of the timepiece is included. And a terra cotta lion’s head from the wall just below the clock face measures 3.5 feet square and weighs almost one thousand pounds.

All attest to the fact that, when completed in the late nineteenth century, Milwaukee’s City Hall was the third tallest building in the United States – topped only by the Washington Monument and Philadelphia’s City Hall.

Due to the construction scheduled at the Historical Society, the exhibit may have to be repositioned periodically as work progresses, but every effort will be made to keep as much of the show intact as possible throughout its installation.