MPM’s Secrecy Threatens Milwaukee’s Diverse Legacy
- SaveMPM
- Aug 28
- 2 min read
Website: www.preservemke.org
Milwaukee Public Museum’s Secrecy Threatens Milwaukee’s Diverse Legacy
MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee’s rich tapestry of history—woven from the stories of working-class immigrants, marginalized communities, and cultural artisans—is being silently erased. The abrupt closure of the Milwaukee Public Museum’s (MPM) third-floor Asia Gallery and Pre-Columbian Mezzanine on April 6, 2025, with only two days’ notice, is a glaring symptom of a deeper crisis: the lack of transparency about the old museum at 800 W. Wells St. What’s not being said about the fate of its County-owned artworks, murals, and artifacts—masterpieces by notable artisans—threatens to rob Milwaukee of its cultural soul. We must act to preserve these treasures.
MPM’s exhibits—Streets of Old Milwaukee, European Village, dioramas, taxidermy, and built-ins—are not mere displays but historic artworks, crafted by skilled artisans to reflect Milwaukee’s diverse communities. These murals and installations, embodying decades of cultural heritage, draw more visitors annually than Milwaukee Bucks games, making MPM the county’s premier cultural landmark. Yet, Dr. Ellen Censky dismisses community input as “pushback” (Milwaukee Magazine, April 2025), claiming MPM is only a natural history museum, stating, “Milwaukee County has given the authority to MPM to run the museum, as I might say, a natural history museum, not a history museum.” MPM secured $45 million in County funds by presenting itself as both natural and human history—a betrayal of public trust.
Censky falsely asserts MPM, Inc., a private nonprofit, owns the exhibits, saying, “The collections are what is owned by the public… The MPM staff have created the exhibits.” The 2013 Lease and Management Agreement confirms Milwaukee County owns all collections, artifacts, exhibits, and personal property—our assets, not theirs. Her $80–$90 million plan to update exhibits for “current thinking” risks destroying these irreplaceable artworks, ignoring FOIA requests, petitions, and clarifications since January 2023.
The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors, elected to amplify our voice, enables this neglect, claiming the building is “beyond repair.” Supervisor Steve Taylor called the museum a “dump” at a public meeting—based on what? Compared to what? MPM’s $250 million renovation estimate lacks evidence.
We demand a third-party review to verify these claims and explore preservation, safeguarding our cultural equity.
Supervisor Ryan Clancy, a steadfast advocate for community-driven solutions, has warned of MPM’s privatization risks, stating in 2023, “The decision for Milwaukee County and the state to hand over money to a private entity now unaccountable to the public remains a serious mistake. We were misled” (Wisconsin Right Now). His call for transparency and public control underscores the urgency to protect MPM’s historic artworks and ensure Milwaukee’s diverse voices shape their future.
We demand a Community Oversight Workgroup and a public hearing by May 15, 2025, to ensure transparency and preserve our legacy.
Contact the Board at contact@milwaukeecountywi.gov or (414) 278-4222. Join the fight, visit www.preservemke.org to learn more. Imagine a world without our history—act to save it!
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About the Campaign
“Imagine a World Without Our History,” led by concerned Milwaukee residents, fights for transparency and cultural equity in MPM’s relocation, ensuring the old museum’s County-owned artworks and artifacts are preserved with public input. Join the fight, visit www.preservemke.org to learn more.
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