South Milwaukee is hosting an 'open doors' event as part of its 125th anniversary celebration
South Milwaukee is hosting its own Open Doors event as part of the city’s 125th anniversary celebration.
Over 20 buildings and businesses, several of them usually closed to the public, will be open Sept. 17 for people to peruse and learn about the history of the city.
The event will last from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and all but one location are free.
Participating locations include:
The Bucyrus Museum, 1919 12th Ave., is home to many displays showing the history of Bucyrus through the years in South Milwaukee. The Bucyrus Museum is on the second floor of the Bucyrus Club building. A special admission rate of $5 will be charged for this location.
The Frederick C. Wulff Lodge, 215 Lake Drive, which was built in 1917 as the former home of Frederick Wulff, the first Milwaukee County Parks superintendent, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society. The building has been used by youth groups for overnight stays.
The Benkowski Builders Train Station, 1111 Milwaukee Ave., is near Da Crusher statue in downtown South Milwaukee. The building was designed by architect Charles Sumner Frost and erected in 1893 for the Chicago & Northwestern Railway.
The South Milwaukee Library, 1907 10th Ave., will offer a guided tour along with a look at various digitization projects ongoing at the library. Historical documents, yearbooks and more will be scanned, according to Melissa Ellis, chairperson of 125th anniversary celebration committee.
Some other buildings set to be open to the public include the South Milwaukee Historical Society, 717 Milwaukee Ave., American Legion Post 27, 920 Monroe Ave., the South Milwaukee Water Utlility, 100 Marshall Ave., South Milwaukee Street Department, 910 Marshall Ave., and South Milwaukee Human Concerns, 1029 Milwaukee Ave.
The South Milwaukee Fire Department, 929 Marshall Court, and Police Department, 2424 15th Ave., will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Local businesses are also opening their doors for residents including Military Connection, 723 Milwaukee Ave., Molthen-Bell & Son Funeral Home, 700 Milwaukee Ave., and Schlaraffia Milwaukia, 500 Marquette Ave., home to the knights of the Schlaraffia, a German men’s club focused on “art, humor and friendship,” according to South Milwaukee’s website. The group’s site boasts a membership if 10,000 in over 280 countries.
Some places of worship that will be open include the city’s oldest church and cemetery at First Congregational Church, 1111 N. Chicago Ave., a Muslim mosque, Masjid Al-Huda, 1800 16th Ave., the first Armenian church in Wisconsin, Holy Resurrection Armenian Church, 909 Michigan Ave., which will feature raffles, games, music, food starting at 2 p.m. and followed by a 4 p.m. Mass.
Residents who visit 12 or more participating locations earn a free 125th anniversary commemorative coin from the city. A completed map (available on the city website before the event or at each stop) must be turned in to the fire department by 3:15 p.m., Sept. 17.
The city is hosting various events in celebration of the milestone and celebrate what makes the city special. On Oct. 2 South Milwaukee is hosting a historical trolley tour presented by Molthen-Bell & Son Funeral Home.
On Oct. 27 a gala will be held at the Bucyrus Club. The Radio Rosies will also perform, sponsored by the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center. Tickets are required and on sale now.
A veterans celebration will take place Nov. 11 in partnership with South Milwaukee American Legion Post 27.
Contact Erik S. Hanley at erik.hanley@jrn.com. Like his Facebook page and follow him on Twitter at @ES_Hanley.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: South Milwaukee to host 'open doors' event for 125th anniversary
