Our Programs

MCHS offers Milwaukee County teachers educational programs and resources to enhance their local and state history curriculums.

Milwaukee County Historical Society educator teaching students about beavers and the fur trade using a digital presentation and artifacts.

Hands-On History

Hands-on History is a free one-hour program for 3rd – 5th grade classrooms in Milwaukee County. MCHS educators bring touchable artifacts as students learn about local history through eight available lessons. These include: First Peoples of Wisconsin, Jobs That Built Wisconsin, Journeys to Wisconsin, First Peoples and the Milwaukee Settlers, Milwaukee Works, Strangers to Neighbors, Gathering at the Waters, and Making Waves in Lake Michigan. The lessons are interactive, engaging, and full of primary sources. The MCHS education team works with 7,000 students each year in Milwaukee County private, public, charter, urban, and suburban schools.

Lessons are taught October – April.

Field Trips

The MCHS downtown museum offers programs for all ages. Field trips include an introduction to the building, exploration of the exhibits, a visit to our Library and Archives, and a behind-the-scenes collections tour. School field trip visits can be upgraded to include a walking tour through downtown Milwaukee. A standard field trip lasts two hours.

Standard field trip: $8.00 per student

Field trip with walking tour: $10.00 per student

Trimborn Farm is more than 170 years old and has nine historic structures to explore. Students will learn and discover what life was like on a 19th-century farm. Our daily program is geared for 3rd to 5th grade students though it can be adapted for most grades. Students are offered the chance to experience farm chores, make butter, explore the stables/barns, and play historic games. Most visits last two to three hours.

Trimborn Farm field trips are available May 1 through October 31.

Prices are $6.00 per student for a regular tour or $8 per student with additional historic games station.

Students and educators at the Milwaukee County Historical Society research library examining a large vintage map of Milwaukee.
Banquet event at the Milwaukee County Historical Society with guests seated near the historic bank vault and MKE marquee.

Teacher Workshops

Annually, the Milwaukee County Historical Society and our partners offer teacher workshops to discuss teaching with The Making of Milwaukee curriculum. Educators gather for a day of learning and exploring Milwaukee history with an emphasis on curriculum development.

More Ways to Learn

Speaker's Bureau

Virtual Programs

Spark!