Alot of us are used to saying “Aye lets go to the Museum or the Public Museum”. Well in 2027 when the museum opens it will have a new name and logo.
The Milwaukee Public Museum (MPM), a cherished institution since 1884, is set to embark on a transformative journey. In 2027, upon relocating to a new, state-of-the-art facility in downtown Milwaukee, MPM will be rebranded as the Nature & Culture Museum of Wisconsin.
Embracing a Statewide Identity
The new name reflects the museum’s evolution from a city and county institution to a statewide entity. Dr. Ellen Censky, MPM President & CEO, explained that the museum’s history includes being operated by the city for 94 years, then by the county for 16 years, and now as a separate 501(c)(3) organization. This transition away from government funding influenced the decision to remove “Public” from the name.
FAQ:
Why is “Milwaukee” no longer in the name?
The name “Milwaukee Public Museum” has served us well through the years, but it is no longer an accurate representation of who we are. While the Museum is in Milwaukee, it serves people from across the state. In fact, half of our Wisconsin visitors come from outside Milwaukee County. We are truly a statewide institution, serving all of Wisconsin, and our new name will reflect this. In addition, our building design was inspired by the rock formations at Mill Bluff State Park in central Wisconsin, and our new exhibits will explore the natural and cultural wonders found across our state. Despite this change, those of us who live and work in Milwaukee can still be proud that this world-class museum is located within our city and will be another reason people from across the country will want to visit.
Why is “public” no longer in the name?
Just like our current Museum, the new Museum will be a welcoming place for everyone, but we are not technically a public museum like we were decades ago. We were once owned by the City of Milwaukee and then by Milwaukee County, but Milwaukee Public Museum became a separate private 501(c)(3) in 1992. Calling ourselves a public museum implies that we are still a government entity or get most of our annual operating support from the government. Neither case is true.
A New Home Inspired by Wisconsin’s Landscapes
The upcoming 200,000-square-foot facility, located at the corner of North Sixth Street and West McKinley Avenue, draws architectural inspiration from Wisconsin’s natural features, notably the rock formations of Mill Bluff State Park. The design aims to embody the convergence of nature and culture, aligning with the museum’s renewed focus.
The new logo will also represent these rock formations, as well as the distinctive shape of the new museum building. The logo’s primary and secondary color palette selections—red ocher, Wisconsin waters, Northwoods green, spring green, and limestone—are inspired by Badger State landscapes and artifacts found in the museum’s collections.
Continuity and Preservation
Despite the changes, the museum will continue to care for and display the Milwaukee County collections, maintaining its mission to inspire curiosity and promote the preservation of our world’s natural and cultural diversity. MPM cares for more than 4 million collection items, including specimens from nature and objects created by people representing cultures from around the world and across time. Every specimen and object holds a story, and together they reveal the complex ways nature and culture are connected.
For more information about the museum’s future plans, visit mpm.edu/future.
I know I will miss the old Museum, but Im ready and excited to see whats in the new one!
