A full day of free admission and scores of special activities drew 8,500 people to the Milwaukee Public Museum on Aug. 12 for the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s 2017 Gifts to the Community. More than 2,000 people enjoyed free planetarium shows while all guests had a chance to learn about the 2017 solar eclipse. Hands-on experiences involving live bugs and butterflies, prehistoric fossils and chocolate-making complemented museum favorites like the Streets of Old Milwaukee and Crossroads of Civilization.

Launched in celebration of the Foundation’s centennial in 2015, Gifts to the Community provides access to opportunities connecting people throughout the region while showcasing the metro area’s most positive characteristics.