Why Dioramas Matter

Milwaukee is home to something extraordinary — one of the world’s largest open-air diorama. For generations, these exhibits have not only been a source of pride but also a unique cultural and educational treasure. And yet, their future is being decided behind closed doors.

“Dioramas are an illusion created not to deceive us, but – like all great art – to tug at our hearts and open our minds,” wrote Stephen Christopher Quinn (2006). Cultural historians describe them as “palaces of collective dreaming” (Grunbein, 2002) and “powerful fusions of art and science” (Wonders, 1989). Milwaukee’s own curator H.L. Ward declared in 1909, “The scenic backgrounds of some groups are worthy of exhibition as works of pictorial art.” These are not props. They are art, history, and science fused into one.

Visitor studies conducted at natural history museums worldwide show that dioramas are among the most engaging exhibits for families and children. They encourage curiosity, spark conversations, and evoke powerful emotions: awe, beauty, memory, and imagination. Parents consistently describe them as “learning enhancers, vocabulary suppliers, and long-term learning facilitators.”

Milwaukee’s dioramas, from the pioneering Muskrat Group to the immersive open-air environments, are part of a legacy known as the Milwaukee Style. This innovation transformed museums across the country and cemented Milwaukee’s reputation as a leader in combining artistry and science.

The Question of Transparency

Despite their significance, the Milwaukee Public Museum has yet to publicly disclose the fate of its historic dioramas. The institution has developed a confidential “disposition plan,” but the public is left in the dark. Are dioramas considered artifacts to be preserved? Or “components” to be dismantled? Are they slated for display in the new museum, storage, or destruction?

This lack of clarity undermines public trust. Milwaukee County has already declared transparency a core value under Resolution 24-880. Shouldn’t the same apply to the museum funded by public dollars and entrusted with our cultural heritage?

What’s at Stake

If these dioramas are discarded or hidden, Milwaukee will lose more than just exhibits. We will lose:

• A globally recognized innovation in museum artistry.

• Generations of childhood memories tied to exhibits like the Streets of Old Milwaukee and the European Village.

• An irreplaceable educational tool proven to foster curiosity and conversation.

A Call to Action

The artistry of Milwaukee’s dioramas deserves the highest level of transparency. We, the public, deserve answers:

• Which dioramas will survive?

• Which will be hidden away?

• Which may be destroyed?

It is time for the Milwaukee Public Museum to honor its obligation to the public by disclosing how dioramas are categorized and what their future will be. Until then, every exhibit we love remains at risk.

Milwaukee built the world’s largest open-air diorama. Now the museum won’t tell us if it survives. It’s our responsibility to demand answers — before it’s too late.

Citation

Schwarzer, Marjorie & Sutton, Mary Jo. The Diorama Dilemma: A Literature Review and Analysis. John F. Kennedy University Museum Studies, Revised 2010.Milwaukee Public Museum Talking Points Memo, Jan. 16, 2025.