'Uniquely Wisconsin': Milwaukee Public Museum gives update on new location

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee Public Museum is sharing more details on their plan for the future, as they make progress on a brand-new home.

Representatives for the museum held a virtual town hall Wednesday to answer questions and give updates on the process.

MPM President, Dr. Ellen Censky, said the current building is outdated and inaccessible, noting a move to a new location is crucial to keep their accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums.

The museum released design plans in July 2022.

Now, work is in the schematic design phase of the several-year-long project.

Censky described the goal of the new building as "Uniquely Wisconsin and Milwaukee."

The building's design is influenced by Mill Bluff State Park, and the Milwaukee, Kinnikinic, and Menomonee rivers.

The main vision is to display the intersection of nature and culture.

"How our natural and cultural worlds are interwoven, how we humans are part of the natural world, our cultures are influenced by our environments, and how we, in turn, influence the natural world," Dr. Censky said.

A parking structure will accompany the building on 6th and McKinley.

Traffic-calming measures will be put in place at nearby intersections to ensure safety.

"We're coordinating with the city of Milwaukee, local partners and nearby neighbors and collaborating on street improvements," said design manager, Katie Sanders.

The new facility will allow for better accessibility, and updated technology for exhibits. The museum will share more about exhibit designs next year.

"We will be taking components of the exhibits and reimagining them, bringing new collection items out to display and making old collections more accessible," Censky said.

Along with improved accessibility, there will be a focus on diversity, especially for cultural exhibits.

"We've been working to bring multiple and many different voices into this design process so that the building and exhibits are welcoming and inclusive to all visitors," Sanders said.

Groundbreaking is scheduled for late 2023, with an estimated opening of the new location by 2026.

The current museum location on West Wells St. will remain open in the meantime.

For more information and to provide feedback, visit the Milwaukee Public Museum's website.