Events
Exhibit Reception & Gallery Talk
Saturday, September 24 | 2pm – 4pm
Join us for an artist reception to celebrate Acrylic International Biennial Juried Exhibition 2022. Artist John Jude Palencar will give a special gallery talk, artists will be recognized, and light refreshments will be served.
Exhibit Gallery Walk
Sunday, September 25 | 1pm – 2pm
Artist John Jude Palencar, who selected the paintings to be featured in the Acrylic International Biennial Juried Exhibition 2022, will talk about several of the works in the exhibit and point out some of their unique features.
Time to Fly Kite Fest
Saturday, September 24 | 11:30am – 2pm | Location: Lincoln Park
Watch professional kite flying demonstrations, then visit informational and resource booths, play games, join the museum for activities, and enjoy a hot dog lunch. There will also be a kite and bike giveaway.
Cave of Forgotten Dreams
Saturday, October 8 | 1:30pm | Location: Civil War Museum
Join the Kenosha County Archeology Society as they present Werner Herzog’s film, Cave of Forgotten Dreams. Opening remarks and introduction by Kenosha Public Museum Executive Director Leslie Brothers.
National Fossil Week
Monday, October 10 – Sunday, October 16
National Fossil Day is October 12, but we’re celebrating all week long with free drop in activities in the Field Station that celebrate this year’s theme – Eocene Fossils of Yellowstone National Park.
Artsy Afternoon: Relief Printmaking
Friday, October 14: Relief Printmaking | 2pm – 3pm: Ages 5-6: Register Here | 3:30pm – 4:30pm: Ages 7-10: Register Here
Explore the amazing world of art through the eyes of artists and see how their artwork can inspire your own. Try new techniques and get your creativity flowing. All materials included. Space is limited in these free programs – advance registration required.
PUBLIC Education: What the Heck is That? Museum Edition
Tuesday, October 18 | 5:30pm | Location: PUBLIC Craft Brewing | For adults 21 and over | $15 ($25 non-members) includes one beer | Register Here
Grab a beer and put on your thinking caps as you investigate some interesting items from the Museum collections. This interactive, game-show style, program will place you and your friends in the hot seat as you try to guess the identity and function of the object before the other teams. Will you come out on top?
Dia de los Muertos
Saturday, October 22 | 12pm – 3pm
Join the Kenosha Public Museum and Bradford High School in celebrating the Day of the Dead. Learn about traditions of the holiday, celebrate loved ones through ofrendas, play Mexican games, create paper crafts for celebrating at home, and explore educational displays on community and culture by the Bradford students.
Victorian Spiritualism
Friday, October 28 | 6pm – 8:30pm: Location: Civil War Museum | Adults only | $40 ($55 non-members) | Register Here
Connect with your past self or peer into your future at this “otherworldly” event. Inspired by the golden age of magic, explore the spiritual lives of the Victorians through a performance by a stage medium, palm and tarot card readers, ghost stories and more. Light snacks and drink tickets provided. Advance registration required.
Native American Artist Market
Saturday, November 5 | 12pm – 4pm
Join the Kenosha Public Museum as we celebrate Native American Heritage Month, which honors the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, histories and contributions of the 12 Tribal Nations of Wisconsin. In addition to being able to view and purchase art from the artisans themselves, there will be several opportunities to participate in hands-on activities and enjoy live music.
PUBLIC Education: The Dinosaur Birds and Bees
Tuesday, November 15 | 5:30pm | Location: PUBLIC Craft Brewing | For adults 21 and over | $15 ($25 non-members) includes one beer | Register Here
How did dinosaurs, well, you know… Dinosaurs survived on our planet for hundreds of millions of years. That’s a lot of generations of dinosaurs and dinosaur babies. But how did these enormous reptiles do the deed? Join us to talk about the prehistoric birds and bees, to learn what we know about dinosaur sexuality, courtship, and nesting and parenting behavior.
Artsy Afternoon: Painting Fall Trees
Friday, November 18: Painting Fall Trees | 2pm – 3pm: Ages 5-6: Register Here | 3:30pm – 4:30pm: Ages 7-10: Register Here
Explore the amazing world of art through the eyes of artists and see how their artwork can inspire your own. Try new techniques and get your creativity flowing. All materials included. Space is limited in these free programs – advance registration required.
Candy House
Saturday, November 26 | Instructor: Lara Rader | $20 ($25 non-members) First Adult | $5 Each additional child and adult | 10am – 12pm Register Here | 1pm – 3pm Register Here
Gather your family and spend part of your holiday season with your inner child and create a house good enough to eat! Using graham crackers, pretzel rods, cookies, frosting, candy and your imagination, design and construct a fantasy house fit for Hansel and Gretel. All supplies included.
International Holiday: A Cultural Christmas Celebration
Saturday, December 3 | 10am – 3pm
Celebrate the holidays with an international twist by eating, shopping and celebrating your way around the world while supporting local crafters and cultural organizations. Enjoy festive musical performances throughout the afternoon while sipping a cup of cocoa concocted with all your favorites from our famous Toppings Bar. And don’t forget to visit the Kid’s Craft Station to make a Nordic-inspired ornament or Japanese Ikebana floral arrangement to take home.
Artsy Afternoon: Watercolor Snowflakes
Friday, December 9: Watercolor Snowflakes | 2pm – 3pm: Ages 5-6: Register Here | 3:30pm – 4:30pm: Ages 7-10: Register Here
Explore the amazing world of art through the eyes of artists and see how their artwork can inspire your own. Try new techniques and get your creativity flowing. All materials included. Space is limited in these free programs – advance registration required.
PUBLIC Education: Holidays in the White House – How the Lincoln’s Celebrated
Tuesday, December 20 | 5:30pm | Location: PUBLIC Craft Brewing | For adults 21 and over | $15 ($25 non-members) includes one beer | Register Here
What sort of gift giver was Abraham Lincoln? Did he get any time off from official duties during Christmas and New Year’s? What was it like to be in Washington, DC during the Holiday Season during the Civil War? Explore these questions as well as the official and family activities the Lincoln family engaged in during the Holiday Seasons from 1860 to 1864.
Winter Fun Camp
Tuesday, December 27 – Thursday, December 29 | 10am – 12pm | Instructor: Bev Brown | $45 ($60 non-members) | Ages 5-6 Register Here | Ages 7-10 Register Here
Celebrate the winter season with this fun filled three day camp. Create a snowball catapult, design a pastel mug filled with hot chocolate, and learn how animals survive and thrive in arctic temperatures.
Museum Munchkins
Every Wednesday | 9:30am – 10:00am
Get your preschoolers excited about science and the world around them. Each week they will learn about a different museum collection animal through songs, stories and activities.
SEPTEMBER: 7-Blue Whales; 14-Okapi; 21-Hoatzin; 28-Aye-ayes
OCTOBER: 5-Potoos; 12-Ravens; 19-Spiders; 26-Bats
NOVEMBER: 2-Vaquita; 9-Star-nosed Mole; 16-Gorillas; 23-Turkeys; 30-Whale Sharks
DECEMBER: 7-Walruses; 14-Penguins; 21-Reindeer; 28-Polar Bears
Sensory Friendly Days
Sensory Friendly Days give visitors of all ages with complex developmental disabilities, sensory sensitivities, or on the autism spectrum a safe, comfortable environment to explore the museum exhibits during special hours before the museum opens to the general public. Where possible, our lights will be dimmed and the sound turned off. Signage will be posted for those areas in which we are unable to turn off the sound or there may be other sensory triggers. Trained staff will be available to help visitors navigate the museum and offer supportive resources (noise-cancelling headphones, fidgets, weighted blankets, quiet spaces), as well as opportunities for sensory engagement during your exploration of the museum.
Dinosaur Discovery Museum: Saturday, September 24 | 11am – 12pm
Kenosha Public Museum: Saturday, October 15 | 9am – 10am
Civil War Museum: Saturday, November 12 | 9am – 10am
Dinosaur Discovery Museum: Saturday, December 10 | 11am – 12pm
