Explore Milwaukee’s lakefront cultural campus and beyond as the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s Gifts to the Community program returns in 2016 with a special day of free admission to four signature destinations on our region’s shoreline. On Saturday, Oct. 15, visit Betty Brinn Children’s Museum, Discovery World, Milwaukee Art Museum and the Port Washington Historical Society’s Port Exploreum and 1860 Light Station for free. The Foundation’s Gifts to the Community are being presented this year in partnership with Fund for Lake Michigan.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016
Hours: Vary by institution (see below)
Where: 929 E. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53202
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Website | Directions & Parking | Phone: 414.390.5437
The Betty Brinn Children’s Museum is dedicated to providing hands-on educational experiences that help children build fundamental cognitive, social, emotional and physical skills during their formative years, and to educating adults about the profound influence of early learning on a child’s academic and lifelong success. Museum exhibits and programs reflect developmental milestones recognized by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, as well as state and national academic standards, and promote school readiness by focusing on early literacy; beginning math and science concepts; the development of planning and problem-solving skills; cooperation; self-esteem and self-discipline; and physical coordination. The Museum enables adults to share educational experiences with children, and provides information about child development, learning styles and effective parenting. The Museum is committed to ensuring access by all children and families in the community.
Where: 500 N. Harbor Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53202
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Website | Directions & Parking | Phone: 414.765.9966
Discovery World offers fun and learning for the whole family! Experience interactive exhibits, the Reiman Aquarium, DIY projects in the Kohl’s Design It! Lab, and more! In the summer months, come aboard for a Family Sail on Discovery World's Tall Ship, the Sailing Vessel (S/V) Denis Sullivan, a 137-foot replica of a 19th century Great Lakes schooner.
Where: 700 N. Art Museum Drive., Milwaukee, WI 53202
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Website | Directions & Parking | Phone: 414.224.3200
The Milwaukee Art Museum’s mission is to serve the community and present art as a vital source of inspiration and education. Through exhibitions and related programs, the Museum is committed to bringing people together to inform, educate and engage in conversation around art. Home to a rich collection of over 30,000 works of art, the Museum is located on the shores of Lake Michigan. Its campus includes the Santiago Calatrava–designed Quadracci Pavilion, annually showcasing three feature exhibitions, and the Eero Saarinen–designed Milwaukee County War Memorial Center and David Kahler-designed addition. The Museum recently reopened its Collection Galleries, debuting dramatically transformed galleries and a new lakefront addition, with nearly 2,500 world-class works of art on view.
Where: 118 N. Franklin St., Port Washington, WI 53074
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Website | Directions | Parking | Phone: 262.268.9150
Where: 311 Johnson St., Port Washington, WI 53074
Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Website | Directions | Phone: 262.268.9150
As part of the Port Washington Historical Society, the 1860 Light Station and Port Exploreum vividly tell the stories of Port Washington from its earliest days to the present. The Light Station, located just east of the historic St. Mary’s Church, has been restored to reflect the life of a Light Keeper in the late 1800s. The Port Exploreum, located in downtown Port, is a history and maritime museum that uses the latest technologies to interactively tell the stories of Port Washington and Lake Michigan.
Launched in celebration of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s centennial in 2015, Gifts to the Community aimed to provide special opportunities connecting greater Milwaukeeans while showcasing some of the region’s most positive characteristics. Last year, 275,000 people directly participated in 12 surprise gifts that engaged 25 different partner organizations.