Kenosha, Wisconsin's Museums and Galleries

My hometown is Kenosha, Wisconsin. We are a little city in the south-eastern corner of the state. Considering we are a small city - population just under 100,000 - we don't have huge ocean beaches to hangout at all summer, or great amusement parks to visit. What we do have, though, are great museums and galleries for everybody to visit, not just the local residents.

Anderson Arts Center- Opened in April of 1992, the Anderson Arts Center, located on the historical Kemper Center grounds, hosts numerous activities and events through the year. The entire West Wing of the Anderson Arts Center has been devoted to the display of art work done by students attending area schools. Every August, children can attend Summer Art Camps sponsored by the Arts Center. A full slate of art classes and activities are held in Kid's Space, located in a renovated area of the Anderson Art Center Annex. Address: 121 Sixty-Sixth Street, Kenosha, Wisconsin, 53143

Frank A. Palumbo Civil War Museum - Frank A. Palumbo was a Chicagoan who was inspired by a veteran he had known back in the 1930's. For the next thirty years, Frank Palumbo collected and amassed a sizable collection of Civil War memorabilia. In the mid 1960's, after being on display in the Chicago City Hall, these Civil War artifacts went on permanent display at Carthage College in the Frank A Palumbo Civil War Museum. This collection features over two hundred pieces of American history; including swords, pictures, documents, currency, and more. Address: 2001 Alford Park Drive, Kenosha, WI 53140.

Kenosha History Center - The Historical Society is a two building campus with exhibit galleries, gift shops, and archival facilities. The Rambler Legacy Gallery is dedicated to the story of Kenosha County after the turn of the Twentieth Century. Auto manufacturing became big business in the area, and this is the main focus of the gallery. Cars are featured in the middle of the gallery and rotated every 3 to 6 months. Special exhibits feature different types of Rambler, Nash and American Motors automobiles. The perimeter of this gallery features replicas of early area buildings. The Yesteryear Gallery tells the story of early settlers to the area, and features items from a long span of time - early telephones and tin lanterns, for example. This gallery also features replica store fronts of merchants from the history of Kenosha; such as a general store and railroad ticket office. There is even a glimpse into a one room school. Lobby Galleries give visitors a look at local businesses that have been operating in Kenosha for a century or longer. Southport Light Station is focused on the 1866 Southport lighthouse and the 1867 lighthouse keeper's dwelling. The lighthouse and dwelling have been restored and are open for visitors all summer long. Address: 6300 Third Avenue, Kenosha, WI 53140.

Kenosha Public Museum - The Kenosha Public Museum has been rebuilt and expanded in 2000. It now sits right on Lake Michigan, in the beautiful marina area of Kenosha. There are numerous permanent exhibits in the museum. Mammoth and Me is an exhibit dedicated to the discovery of Wooly Mammoth bones discovered in Kenosha County in 1992 and features the actual bones that were discovered. Cut marks on these 12,500 year old bones, indicates that ancient man had cut the animals up with primitive stone tools. Being born and raised in the area, this is an exhibit that is very exciting to me, and would be for any visitor. Aside from historical exhibits, the Public Museum also features a fine arts section. All summer long, more and more exhibits travel through the museum, which make this a definite repeat trip. Address: 5608 Tenth Avenue, Kenosha, WI 53140.