The Grohmann Museum is a fantastic under-visited gem on the Milwaukee School of Engineering campus. The thousands of works, mostly paintings, span time from 1580 to the present and are all dedicated to one theme: Man at Work. From farmers at the plow to bare-chested men in early foundries to Rennaisance-era geographers, brewers, vintners, bakers and more, MSOE's Grohmann Museum is a fascinating look at labor through the ages.
Best and worst time to go to the Grohmann Museum
The area is hard to access during July's Bastille Days in nearby Cathedral Square.
Must see/do at the Grohmann Museum
Stay alert even as you enter the museum's enormous glass entryway; a floor mosaic teases to some of the artwork inside and the ceiling mural pays tribute to Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Marie Curie and Johannes Gutenberg. Make sure to bring your smartphone with you; permanent items in the collection include a QR code to hear stories behind the art. The museum is dedicated to "Man at Work," and features rotating exhibits that emphasize it, including past exhibits on the Milwaukee Road, Bridges of North America, and Wisconsin at Work.
Admission to the Grohmann Museum
General admission is below $10, students and seniors get a discount, under-12 and MSOE students/staff are free.
How to get to the Grohmann Museum
At the southeast corner of Broadway and State streets, the Grohmann Museum is easy to spot for its incredible glass entryway. Coming east on I-94 or from the south on I-43, merge onto I-794. The museum is north of I-794; exit at Van Buren Street and go north to State Street, make a left (west) and go two blocks to Milwaukee to the parking lot. Coming south on I-43, get off at Fond du Lac Ave and head east to 6th street, south one block to Juneau Ave, east to Milwaukee Street and south one block to the parking lot. The No. 15 bus stops right at the corner of Milwaukee and State and connects with several other downtown lines.
Insider tip for visitors to the Grohmann Museum
There is free parking in the MSOE parking lot just east of the museum on Milwaukee and State streets. (Make sure to inform museum staff of your car make/model/plate number.) In nicer weather, the rooftop sculpture garden is a unique place to relax and view Milwaukee's downtown.
Other places to visit near the Grohmann Museum
It is easy walking distance from other downtown museums and many Water Street restaurants and the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, Pabst Theatre and Turner Ballroom.
Author's bio: T. Rose grew up in Milwaukee and has lived around or near it much of his life.