Inspired by the urban street photography featured in "Street Seen: The Psychological Gesture in American Photography 1940-1959" at the Milwaukee Art Museum, I will share a snapshot of a Milwaukee landmark each day for the 10 days leading up to "MAM After Dark"on March 12.
Yesterday’s photo: Basilica of St. Josephat
Most Milwaukeeans know the Basilica of St. Josaphat, 601 W. Lincoln Ave., as the dome shaped church just west of I-94.
But, there's much more to it than that. A church founded by Polish immigrants, the original church proved too small by 1896 and then, Pastor Wilhelm Grutza commissioned the most prominent church architect of the late 1800s and early 1900s, Erhard Brielmaier, to design the church. The Basilica is patterned after St. Peter's in Rome and features traditional Romanesque characteristics.
Brielmaier purchased the 200,000 tons of salvaged material for $20,000 from the deconstruction of the Federal Building in Chicago and had it delivered to Milwaukee on 500 railroad flatcars, where parishioners were waiting to begin construction.
Want to participate in today’s photo? Taken from unique angles, your task is to figure out which iconic Milwaukee building is in the photograph. The pictures will start out easy but get progressively more challenging, so submit your best guess and check back daily to find yesterday’s reveal. Ready to start? Just click here.
Click below to receive a coupon for $2 off admission to the Milwaukee Art Museum. Participate and you will be entered to win a prize pack featuring two free tickets to the Milwaukee Art Museum, two tickets to the "MAM After Dark" event on March 12 and a $50 gift card to Ward's House of Prime. The more you participate, the better chance you have to win.
"Street Seen," on view through April 25, examines post-World War II street photography in New York and offers an unforgettable look into a pivotal moment in our history. For more information, visit mam.org/streetseen.
OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Maureen Post grew up in Wauwatosa. A lover of international and urban culture, Maureen received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
After living on the east side of Madison for several years, Maureen returned to Milwaukee in 2006.
After a brief stint of travel, Maureen joined OnMilwaukee.com as the city’s oldest intern and has been hooked ever since. Combining her three key infatuations, Milwaukee’s great music, incredible food and inspiring art (and yes, in that order), Maureen’s job just about fits her perfectly.
Residing in Bay View, Maureen vehemently believes the city can become fresh and new with a simple move across town.
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