Group Tours
Group tours are available by appointment at the downtown museum and research library or at our historic sites.
Basic Group Tour
Self-guided tour of exhibits with a brief staff introduction to the Milwaukee County Historical Society. Throughout the year, rotating exhibits are also available and included in the cost of a group tour.
Cost: Regular Admission ($8 per Adult, $6 per Senior or Student)
Contact: Olivia Hoff, Community Programs Manager
ohoff@milwaukeehistory.net
MCHS Behind the Scenes – Group Tour
Tours usually last about an hour and include a behind-the-scenes experience of the Historical Society collections. The tour begins with a staff introduction to the Milwaukee County Historical Society, and the tour continues to the archive and collections for a brief explanation of our collection scope and preservation efforts. Throughout the year, rotating exhibits are also available and included in the cost of a group tour.
During the stop at the Research Library, tour attendees will learn about the county records, photograph collections, manuscript collections, and more held at the MCHS, as well as learn about how to research with these materials in person.
Cost: $13 per Adult, $11 per Senior or Student
Contact: Olivia Hoff, Community Programs Manager
ohoff@milwaukeehistory.net
Trimborn Farm & Curtin House
Tours last about 45 minute to an hour and explore the many buildings of this historic site including the farm house, Jeremiah Curtin House, barns and lime kilns. While most buildings are handicapped accessible, the ground between buildings can be grass or gravel and uneven. On-site parking is available.
For hands-on learning activities for groups of students, please see the information about our field trips.
Cost: $5 per person (10 guest minimum)
Contact: Mary Jo Knapp, Educator
mjknapp@milwaukeehistory.net
Milwaukee History Kayak Tour
The name “Milwaukee” comes from an Algonquian word Millioke, meaning “Good”, “Beautiful” and “Pleasant Land” (cf. Potawatomi language minwaking, Ojibwe language ominowakiing) or “Gathering place [by the water]” (cf. Potawatomi language manwaking, Ojibwe language omaniwakiing).
Join us at the gathering place by the water! Explore Milwaukee and its history as you paddle down the Milwaukee or Menomonee River. There are two history tours offered this summer: Milwaukee River Downtown & Harbor Tour and Menomonee River & Downtown Milwaukee. Learn about Milwaukee, past and present, from the viewpoint of the river led by guides from the Milwaukee County Historical Society.
Trip includes:
- Use of kayak or canoe
- Instruction
- Milwaukee history interpretation
Children age 12 and older can participate with just one chaperone per 10 students.
Please call for information for trips with children ages 11 and under.
This outing is a collaboration between the Milwaukee County Historical Society and Milwaukee Kayak Company.
For more information about tickets please contact:
Beth @ Milwaukee Kayak Company
(414) 301-2240
Email: info@milwaukeekayak.com
Cost: HALF of each ticket will be donated back to the Milwaukee County Historical Society!
$45 Single Kayak Rental
$85 Tandem Kayak Rental
$75 Family Kayak Rental
2024 History Tours:
TOUR #1:
Milwaukee River – Downtown Milwaukee & Inner Harbor Tour
Launching from our main location @:
Milwaukee Kayak Company
318 SOUTH Water Street Milwaukee, WI 53204
TOUR #2:
Menomonee River Valley & Downtown Milwaukee
Launching from our Twisted Fisherman location @:
1200 West Canal Street Milwaukee, WI 53233
2024 Dates & Times:
Friday, June 14th @ 9am-11:30am
Downtown Milwaukee River
Launch from our main location @ Jerry’s Docks
Thursday, July 11th @ 12/noon-2:30pm
Menomonee River Valley
Launch from our Twisted Fisherman location
Saturday, July 20th @ 8:30am-11am
Downtown Milwaukee River
Launch from our main location @ Jerry’s Docks
Tuesday, August 6th @ 5:30pm-8pm
Downtown Milwaukee River
Launch from our main location @ Jerry’s Docks
Thursday, August 15th @ 5:30pm-8pm
Menomonee River Valley
Launch from our Twisted Fisherman location
Saturday, August 24th @ 10am-12:30pm
Menomonee River Valley
Launch from our Twisted Fisherman location
