Tour Milwaukee's history

Back in '91, Alice Cooper stunned "Wayne's World" fans with his flawless retelling of Milwaukee history. Wayne and Garth looked on in slack-jawed awe while Cooper recited little-known facts about our city.

Now, 10 years later, our world is pining for someone with that same knowledge and understanding of the home of Summerfest, Harley and Miller Park. We thirst for the knowledge that makes us smarter than our friends and popular at boring parties.

Well pine no more for that knowledge, young Milwaukeean!

We are surrounded in a city jam-packed with fascinating history, and it takes only a few ventures from the apartment to discover how Milwaukee citizens were trailblazers, pioneers and history makers, all on your way to becoming chock-full of useful party tidbits.

Take, for example, the following Milwaukee-area institutions, all available for exploration.

MILWAUKEE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
910 N. 3rd St, (414) 273-8288
http://www.milwaukeecountyhistsoc.org/

Surrounded by skyscrapers and loud traffic, the home of the Milwaukee County Historical Society invites visitors to explore and discover little-known facts about our past. Museum exhibits, aided by audio-visuals and galleries, demonstrate the challenges early Milwaukeeans faced while shaping our modern lives. While exhibiting the high and low times of Milwaukee's past, the Historical Society allows visitors to delve deeply into community or personal pasts. With its collection of letters, diaries, photographs and official records, the Milwaukee County Historical Society provides an extraordinary opportunity to discover our past.

KILBOURNTOWN HOUSE
4400 W. Estabrook Dr., (414) 273-8288
Closer to home, located in Estabrook Park, is a house that's been part of Milwaukee's landscape since 1844. Built by Benjamin Church, this structure was originally located in the section of Milwaukee originally known as Kilbourntown. Saved from destruction and moved to its present location in 1938, Kilbourntown House provides a tour to educate as well as entertain those who visit. Listed on the National Register of Historical Places, Kilbourntown House offers visitors the chance to tour an authentically restored piece of local history. From June 2-Sept. 2, 2001, open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sundays, 1-5 p.m., and by appointment.

http://www.mpm.edu/

Don't forget the Streets of Old Milwaukee, itself a city landmark. Opened in January 1965, the museum's first major exhibit in the current building drew record crowds to its dark, gaslit lanes lined with examples of old-Milwaukee shops, homes and businesses. The three-quarter-size edifices recreate life in Brewtown from about 1880-1917 and house materials from the museum's collections and donated by Milwaukeeans. A must-see. The museum is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. It is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and Independence Day.

Located in Greendale, the Jeremiah Curtin House offers tourists the opportunity to tour this stone house built in 1846. The first stone house in the Town of Greenfield, the Curtin House's history is almost as interesting as that of its builder. Occupied until the 1920s, the Curtin House has taken its turn as a vacant structure and a government building before eventually settling into disrepair. Saved from destruction, but without funds for restoration until 1976, the house now features furnishings common to its origin. Call for summer hours or to schedule an appointment.

LOWELL DAMON HOUSE
2107 N. Wauwatosa Ave., Wauwatosa (414) 273-6180
Built between 1844-'46 by wheelwright and cabinetmaker Oliver Damon and his son Lowell, the house is a classic example of a colonial home and is furnished with 19th century furniture, decor and art. The home was donated to the Milwaukee County Historical Society in 1941 by the sons of former owner Alexander Rogers. It has served as a museum ever since. The Damon House is open Wednesdays, 3-5 p.m., Sundays, 1-5 p.m., and by appointment.

OLD WORLD WISCONSIN
S103 W37890 Hwy 67, Eagle, (262) 594-6300
http://www.shsw.wisc.edu/sites/oww/

A 35-mile trip to Old World Wisconsin in Eagle demonstrates the lives of those who settled in and around Milwaukee during the early years. America's largest outdoor museum, Old World Wisconsin invites visitors to experience life as it was over 100 years ago. Costumed workers authentically do chores, assuring a genuine visit to communities that shaped our present day lives. With daily special activities and events, a wildlife preserve, picnic areas and nature trails combined with restored buildings brought to the site from around the state, Old World Wisconsin reflects the life and times of original Wisconsin residents.

For information on more historic sites in Milwaukee and on tours, visit the Historic Milwaukee Web site at http://www.execpc.com/~histmilw/.