Civil War Museum
Workshops

In-Person Workshops

The Atlanta Campaign

The Atlanta Campaign: Missed Opportunities

Saturday, October 12 | 1:00pm – 3:00pm | $24 ($30 for non-members) | Instructor: Dave Powell | Register Here

“I’ve got Joe Johnston Dead!” Or so Sherman is said to have exclaimed upon hearing that James B. McPherson had seized Resaca. Famously, that turned out not to be true, one of the great “lost opportunities” of the entire war. But in fact, there were other such turning points in the first month of the campaign, each perhaps more significant than Resaca. On May 16, Sherman’s armies stumbled crossing the Oostenaula River, offering Johnston a chance to damage one or more of the Federal corps; and at Dallas, McPherson hesitated again when facing just a single small Confederate division. What would have happened if either of these moments had gone differently?

Edgar Allen Poe

An Evening of Edgar Allen Poe with Joshua Rex

Wednesday, October 16 | 7:00pm – 8:30pm | $24 ($30 for non-members) | Adults 21+ only | Register Here

October sets the stage for an evening of chilling tales by Edgar Allan Poe. Indulge in a Poe-themed beverage as you immerse yourself in the haunting world of Poe’s most iconic works. Join historian and author Joshua Rex for captivating performances of “The Masque of the Red Death”, “The Tell-Tale Heart,” and “The Raven.” Prepare for an unforgettable journey into the dark and mysterious realm of Poe’s imagination.

Media Club

Civil War Museum Media Club: Wide Awake: The Forgotten Force That Elected Lincoln and Spurred the Civil War by Jon Grinspan

Tuesday, October 22 | 6:30pm – 8:00pm | $8 ($10 for non-members) | Instructor: Doug Dammann | Register Here

Jon Grinspan’s new book explores a political group known as the Wide Awakes and how their actions influenced the presidential election of 1860 and the coming of the Civil War. The group began as fired-up young Northerners who acted as bodyguards to defend Republican stump speakers from frequent verbal and physical attacks. The idea spread and hundreds of thousands of young people organized into boisterous, uniformed, torch-bearing brigades. These Wide Awakes–mostly working-class Americans in their twenties–became one of the largest, most spectacular, and most influential political movements in our history. To some, their actions demonstrated the power of a rising majority promoting political ideas. To others, it looked like a paramilitary force training to invade the South. Within a year, the nation would be at war with itself, and many on both sides would point to the Wide Awakes as the mechanism that got them there.

Participants in the Media Club are invited to read the book before the meeting and to come prepared to share their thoughts on its themes in an informal and thought provoking discussion.

Beginning Genealogy

Saturday, November 16 | 1:00pm – 3:00pm | $20 ($25 for non-members) | Instructor: Jean Hoffmann | Register Here

Have you always been curious about your family’s history, but have found yourself overwhelmed at where to begin your search? Consider signing up for a Beginning Genealogy workshop! Participants will learn introductory tips and tricks to navigating genealogy databases, what to look for when beginning genealogy research, and more. Workshop participants will receive several handouts to take home with them as they continue genealogy research on their own.

Wisconsin Walks Into a Bar

Wisconsin and beer go way back. In this talk, we’ll focus on Wisconsin’s role in three key episodes in brewing history – the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, Prohibition, and the rise of the craft brewing industry today – as we discuss what it means to “Drink Wisconsinbly”. Program includes one drink ticket to enjoy during the program.

The Civil War Museum After Dark Tours

The Civil War Museum After Dark: Wide Awakes

Wednesday, October 30 | 7:00pm – 8:00pm | Presenter: Doug Dammann | $16 ($20 for non-members) | Register Here

Who were the Wide Awakes and why did they participate in nighttime torch-lit parades wearing special costumes? Why did the wounds of some soldiers glow after the Battle of Shiloh? Did Mary Todd Lincoln attend seances at the White House?

Curator Doug Dammann will lead a lantern-lit tour of the Civil War Museum’s Fiery Trial gallery that explores these and other strange and odd stories of the Civil War.

Walking Tour of the Grounds of the Milwaukee Soldier’s Home

Saturday, May 6 | 10:00am – 12:00pm | $12 ($15 non-members) Register Here

Participants must provide their own transportation to the site.

The Civil War Museum, in collaboration with volunteers from the Milwaukee Preservation Alliance, is excited to offer a walking tour of the buildings and grounds of the newly rehabbed Milwaukee Soldiers Home. Highlights of the tour include the interior of Old Main and the building’s history exhibit as well as exterior stops at the Home’s historic Theater, Church, Library, and Cemetery. Our guides will also concentrate on the personal stories of the Civil War veterans who made the Soldier’s Home their home after the war.

The group will meet at the grounds at 10am to begin the walking tour. Parking is available.

A portion of the proceeds from the tour will be donated to the Milwaukee Preservation Alliance.

Virtual Workshops

I Dread the Thought of the Place: The Battle of Antietam and the End of the Maryland Campaign

Wednesday, January 17 | 6:30pm | Presenter: Scott Hartwig | $12 ($15 non-members) | Register Here

Scott Hartwig’s I Dread the Thought of the Place, on the Battle of Antietam and its aftermath, was published in August 2023. He said of his book, “I did not set out to write this book because Antietam was forgotten, or because I wanted to uncover the ‘untold’ Antietam, or wanted to make some claim that would be controversial to sell books. I wanted to tell the story, the whole story, not just the battle, and I wanted it to be an honest book whose focus was on the people who lived through Antietam.” In this Virtual class we will examine some of the major moments of the battle and the decisions that shaped them, and assess the leaders who had to make those decisions.

Participants will be sent a link the day-of to access this live virtual workshop at their home computers.

Cancellations and Refunds

A full refund will be issued if the Kenosha Public Museum, Dinosaur Discovery Museum, or Civil War Museum cancels a workshop or camp.

All refunds requested within 72 hours of the program are subject to a $10 processing fee.

No refunds are offered on or after the day a workshop or camp begins.

Class cancellations can happen if enrollment minimums are not met two days prior to the event. You will be contacted via phone or email if your event is canceled.

If unforeseen circumstances (i.e. weather, power outages, instructor illness) occur within 72 hours of the workshop or camp and the program must be canceled, the museum will do its best to reschedule or provide a voucher to take a program of a similar or same cost.