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We are a group of regular citizens and people who started a non-profit organization because we care about the museum built and paid for by the people of Milwaukee. As time goes by, we are learning Milwaukee Public Museum, Inc (hereafter MPM, Inc) and several politicians have not listened to the people about how much we love and want to preserve our museum and exhibits. We want it all saved. 

Preserve MKE is comprised of thousands of everyday citizens, alumni of the Museum, as well as their families. We know getting the truth out about OUR Museum and fighting to preserve it is crucial for Milwaukee. 

There are numerous ways to get involved with PreserveMKE, such as volunteering, donating, or attending one of our events. Please visit our Facebook page or email us at ContactUs for more information.

No, they are going to try to build a new Wisconsin Natural History Museum. They have said many times that they are NOT going to be a history museum, which we find unacceptable. The MPM Inc leadership and board have released that little of the old museum will survive if they get their way. Cherished exhibits such as “The Streets of Old Milwaukee,” “The European Village,” “The Buffalo Hunt,” “The Native Pow Wow,” and so many Milwaukee-Style dioramas are at risk of being lost through demolition. There is nothing “moving” in a realistic sense. 

No, the Milwaukee Public Museum building is far from falling apart and being condemned, at least not because of its actual condition. The building was designed and built in 1952 by the famous architectural firm of Eschweiler & Eschweiler. It is a sturdy and well-built publicly owned building for our world-renowned Milwaukee Public Museum, a history & natural science museum. Sure, anything over 50 years old needs love and care, but the issue has been the lack of county funds used responsibly over the years for proper maintenance of the building by MPM, Inc. (This is particularly egregious after many years of mismanagement of the funds given to the museum to maintain and repair the building.) While there have been statements of how bad the condition of the building is, Preserve MKE has secured by public record request all of the key records of the maintenance and repairs such as the new roofs, and electrical and plumbing upgrades and repairs. We feel that the building condition statements by MPM, Inc are just excuses to justify a new building being privately owned by the new private entity, Historic Haymarket Milwaukee (hereafter known as HHM). Preserve MKE would like an independent inspection of the building condition, on behalf of Milwaukee and Wisconsin citizens. 

The current proposal is to demolish the MPM building, but it is far from an approved plan. Furthermore, construction of the new "Wisconsin Museum of Nature and Culture" has not even begun and is not expected to be complete until at least 2027. Currently the plans for any new museum are far behind on funding with no plan to move ahead soon. Officially there is no approved plan to demolish the current building or to repurpose the land.

Unfortunately, there is nothing public about MPM, Inc today. It is a fully private non-profit organization with no oversight or influence from the public. All plans for donations made for the new museum are asked to be made in the name of Historic Haymarket Milwaukee (HHM), a fully separate and private nonprofit. This will include all funds for the land, the building, everything but the actual 4M artifacts currently belonging to Milwaukee County, but in the care of MPM, Inc. They are to remain the property of Milwaukee County.

Despite words to the contrary, the Milwaukee County public, who in large part funds the Museum, was not allowed to advise the Museum Board on their plans. So as the truth comes out, it is objected to by the citizens of Milwaukee County.

Remember, it is NOT a done deal. MPM, Inc does not have a signed contract with the County and has fallen short on required donations. MPM, Inc despite its name is no longer a public entity. They have not been forthcoming or transparent with their plans and have not involved the public. As of this writing they are $90+M short on their required private donations before they are able to receive the County, State, and Federal funds.

This could not be further from the truth.  The Museum we love and built as a community stands as it has for over 60 years. The building is just fine.  Plans by the private MPM inc. to build a new "Wisconsin Museum of Nature and Culture" are underfunded and uncontracted.  As the truth comes out more and more... County, City, and State Legislators are raising concerns and coming out against this. Furthermore, thousands of Wisconsin citizens are waking up to the truth of what could be lost and standing up for our Milwaukee Public Museum.  The more people know and the more they speak up, the more there is plenty to do about it.   Why don't you the reader here, join our cause?

 Preserve MKE is a local Milwaukee community non-profit organization that wants our museum saved and not destroyed. We will never personally benefit from any donations received. Individually we are primarily our largest donors. To answer the question, the initial donations will be used by PreserveMKE for advocacy and outreach. What does that mean? That without getting the word out, that without doing anything, our museum will not be saved. But it can be, by holding events, and connecting the tens of thousands of people who care, by marketing, advertising, and communicating. Over time our funds will be used more directly for preservation and reaching our goals. Again, every penny will be used by PreserveMKE to save and preserve the museum we have built and love.