Events

The Kenosha Public Museum offers many cultural and educational activities throughout the year. Here is the upcoming schedule.

The Kenosha Public Museum and Friends of the Museums Present A Night at the MuZZZeum

6:30pm Friday, September 27, 2019 through 9am Saturday, September 28, 2019
$55 ($40 FOM) per person includes snack, breakfast, activities and a patch
Register Here

Grab your sleeping bags and pillows for a sleepover at the Museum. Before falling asleep explore the Museum at night with your flashlight. Dissect owl pellets, find archaeological treasures, handle real specimens, paint with marbles, explore the stars in the sky, and make a pb&j bar for snack (nut free options available).

For families with children ages 5-12. One adult required for every three children.  Click here for more information.

Migratory Bird Festival

Saturday, September 21, 2019; 11am-4pm | Location: Pringle Nature Center

Stop by the Dinosaur Discovery Museum’s activity station to explore the evolutionary link between dinosaurs and birds. Then enjoy a concert featuring the Museum’s own Mr. Nick!

Wisconsin American Indian Traditions

Sunday, September 22, 2019; Noon-4pm

Join the Museum to celebrate our Native neighbors. Discover how the Potowatomi lived in Kenosha over 200 years ago by visiting The Wisconsin Story exhibit and interactive curiosity stations set throughout the Museum. Learn about the Milwaukee area Indian Community School from some of its students. Then shop the marketplace to see Native artists and vendors.

Also featuring author presentations and book signings:

Misty Cook – Medicine Generations: Natural Native American Medicines Traditional to the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans Tribe

J P Leary – The Story of Act 31: How Native History Came to Wisconsin Classrooms

Something’s Fishy at the Museum

Wednesday, September 25, 2019; 4pm-5pm

Make light-up fish crafts and Japanese-style rubber fish prints. Then put the print on paper or your own T-shirt. This free family activity is co-sponsored by the Museums and the Kenosha Public Library.

Victorian Spiritualism

Friday, October 11, 2019; 6pm-8pm | Location: Civil War Museum
$20 ($10 FOM) | For adults 21+ only | Register Here

Spirits of the past, move among us! Explore the practices of Victorian spiritualism that took the world by storm throughout the 1800s. Participate in seances, learn about their obsession with the afterlife, the occult, the art of crystal gazing, and clairvoyance. Who knows what secrets may be revealed to you when you look beyond the veil into the unknown!

National Fossil Day

Wednesday, October 16, 2019; 10am-5pm | Location: Kenosha Public Museum

Learn all about fossils through fun activities and get certified as a Junior Paleontologist through the National Park Service.

Dinos in the Dark

Friday, October 18, 2019; 6pm, 6:30pm, 7pm, 7:30pm
Friday, October 25, 2019; 6pm, 6:30pm, 7pm, 7:30pm
Saturday, October 26, 2019; 10am, 10:30am, 11am, 11:30am
Location: Dinosaur Discovery Museum | Register Here

Bring a flashlight and walk among the dinosaurs of the Dinosaur Discovery Museum! They will come alive in the shadows as you discover their unique features with your flashlight.

Ghost Hunting

Friday, October 18, 2019; 9pm-11pm
$20 ($10 FOM) | For adults 18+ only | Register Here
Location: Dinosaur Discovery Museum

Hear spooky stories of strange happenings in the historic building, explore possible evidence of the paranormal captured by real life ghost hunters including pictures and EVPs, and investigate the Museum for yourself.

Dia de los Muertos

Saturday, October 26, 2019; 1pm-4pm

Join the Museum and students of Bradford High School to celebrate Day of the Dead. Learn about traditions surrounding the holiday, including the making of ofrendas (altars), play Mexican games, and create an identity mural celebrating the culture of Kenosha. Enjoy performances by the amazing Ballet Folklorico Regional Mexicano as they showcase dances from across Mexico in traditional dress.

Nocturnal Animal Art

Wednesday, October 30, 2019; 4pm-5pm | Location: Northside Library

Study nocturnal animal specimens from the Museum and create a piece of art based on what you see. This free family activity is co-sponsored by the Museums and the Kenosha Public Library.

Carthage College Paleontology Talk

Wednesday, October 30, 2019; 6pm-7pm | Location: Dinosaur Discovery Museum

Hear Carthage paleontology students who have recently returned from presenting their research at the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology’s annual meeting in Australia. Their research is on the growth and development of dinosaurs, marine reptiles, and mammoths. This program is free and open to the public.

Dynamite Dinosaurs

Sunday, November 10, 2019; Noon-3pm

Enjoy dinosaur themed stories, crafts, fossils, and a dino dig. At 1pm meet Frankie, a life-sized walking, roaring baby T-Rex! This free family activity is co-sponsored by the Museums and the Kenosha Public Library.

Museum Munchkins

Wednesdays, 9:30am-10am

Join Museum staff and volunteers for a fun program designed to get you and your preschooler excited about science and the world around them. Each week you’ll explore a new theme with stories, songs, and activities using pieces from our collection.

Nature Lab

Second Saturdays; Noon-2:30pm

Learn about the animals featured in From Curiosity to Science through hands-on art, building, and experimentation activities.

September 14, 2019 – Water Birds – experiment with flotation, construct your own nest, puzzle out the best beak to get food.

October 12, 2019 – Jungle Life – find a way to reach food way up high, design gliders to travel between trees, create patterns for butterflies and frogs to scare off predators.

November 9, 2019 – Nocturnal Animals – experiment with echolocation, test how your eyes see color, design and decorate ears that help you listen for predators.

I’ve Heard of Her

Third Thursdays; Noon | Location: Civil War Museum

September 19: Ida B. Wells – Born intro slavery during the Civil War, Wells became a journalist, activist, and researcher. Join us for a discussion on how race and gender did not stop her from becoming a powerful and influential woman.

October 17: Mary Todd Lincoln – There was more to Mary Todd Lincoln than being Abraham Lincoln’s wife. Learn about Mary’s upbringing, life in the White House, and her connection to spiritualism.

November 21: Sarah Hale/ Pocahontas – Sarah Hale was a writer, editor, and the mother of Thanksgiving, who petitioned several presidents for federal recognition of the holiday. Pocahontas was a Powhatan American Indian in what later became known as Virginia and is one of the most misrepresented woman in history thanks to her depiction in animated film.

SPARK! at the Civil War Museum

SPARK! is a monthly program for individuals in early to mid-stages of memory loss and their caregivers. Participants are engaged in lively conversations, storytelling, interactive exhibit experiences, object handling, and other multi-sensory activities. Space is limited, so reservations are required. 262-653-4423 or spark@kenosha.org.

August 16, 2019: Trades Day – Learn about the trades of the 1800s including canning and blacksmithing.

September 20, 2019: Back to School – School’s back in session! Join us for an 1860s lesson, have a snack and learn about children’s lives at school and at home.

October 18, 2019: Old Fashioned Fun – Play a game of pick up sticks, master tavern puzzles and make a civil war era toy.

November 15, 2019: Civil War Stories – What was under Lincoln’s hat? What was Old Abe? Who was the Angel of Wisconsin? Find out the stories behind the Civil War.