MCRM
P.O. Box 358
E8948 Diamond Hill Road
North Freedom, WI 53951

Telephone:
608-522-4261
800-930-1385

FAX:
608-522-4490

email contacts:
, manager
, office
Jeff Lentz, Operations Manager
, gift shop
, collections

Museum For The Milwaukee Road
Mazomanie Regional Heritage Center
103 Crescent Street, Mazomanie, WI 53560

Open: By appointment only during the winter months.
Admission: Free. Donations are welcome.

The Museum For The Milwaukee Road is Mid-Continent’s experiment with opening a second location to further advance our mission of railroad preservation. The distinction between this site and the one in North Freedom is the singular focus on the history of one railroad; a road which is synonymous with the history of the State of Wisconsin and the expansion of its commercial interests into the Pacific Northwest.

The museum is currently housed in the Mazomanie Regional Heritage Center, a historic building in its own right. Constructed in 1864 by John Parman as his Blacksmith, Wagon & Carriage Shop the building was in continual use by various owners until 1980. Dan Viste purchased the structure in 1999 and began its restoration to serve as a cultural heritage center for the Mazomanie community. His vision helped forge the collaborative effort between Mid-Continent, the Heritage Center and the Prof. Phil Lewis Regional Design Center to create this exhibit to commemorate the Milwaukee Road.

If you make the trip to Mazomanie what you will find there is just a start. The artifacts displayed on the first floor are generic to any railroad but are intended to symbolize the major themes which will be an integral part of the Milwaukee Road’s story. The real exhibition is still in the discussion phase as we work with Xibitz, Inc., a professional design firm located in Milwaukee. Their conceptual design for the first floor exhibition gives a favorable impression of our aspirations for the new museum, while we work to create the final design and budget for this exploratory step into Mid-Continent’s growth as a historical society.

The work of Prof. Phil Lewis dominates the building’s second floor. His 45-foot long topographical model of the line from Milwaukee to Prairie du Chien helps to illustrate why this route was chosen in connecting Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River. More importantly, however, it serves to illustrate what makes the Museum For The Milwaukee Road unique among railroad museums.

This conceptual design for the second floor exhibition shows that the model will take on a much more dramatic presentation once the plans are finalized, funded and constructed. The use of overhead projectors and multi-sided kiosks will convey a vision for the future use of the rail corridor that will also protect the region’s bountiful natural resources.

Prof. Lewis’ work is about sustainable development. His studies show the rail line to be a key component of the region’s future development. Mid-Continent’s expertise is the past. Together we will construct an interpretive account that will encompass the rail line’s past, present and promising future as a cultural and economic asset for our region.

The Museum For The Milwaukee Road contains a promise that will guide our efforts to commemorate the legacy of this prestigious road, the communities it impacted and the people whose work shaped its image. Come join us to witness the beginnings of this most audacious and promising proposal for Mid-Continent, for the community of Mazomanie, and for the Milwaukee Road.

Contributions to this project are tax-deductible, may be made on-line, and will receive a letter documenting the amount and purpose of the gift.