Museum Guide

The Wisconsin Maritime Museum, in Manitowoc, WI cares for a collection of nearly 20,000 objects and a substantial archive pertaining to the maritime history of Wisconsin, Manitowoc shipbuilding, and USS Cobia. This includes more than 60 boats, approximately 300 regionally-built outboard motors, and over 250 ship models. Shipbuilding tools, marine navigational equipment, naval uniforms, and maritime archaeological artifacts also make up significant and growing portions of the collections. When objects are accepted into the museum’s collection, we agree to take care of them in perpetuity. This is an ongoing commitment, and a responsibility we take very seriously. The museum also cares for more than 10,000 Great Lakes shipwreck artifacts, curated on behalf of the State of Wisconsin, in its role as the preferred repository for recovered Wisconsin shipwreck artifacts. (Note, federal legislation in 1987 codified that it is expressly illegal to remove items from historic shipwrecks). The WMM collection is one of the largest maritime collections on the Great Lakes and reflects the museum’s mission of connecting all people with Wisconsin’s waterways, by engaging and educating the public about the Great Lakes, Wisconsin’s maritime history, Wisconsin’s WWII submarines, and USS Cobia. As the museum has grown over the past half-century, caring for our expanding collections has, likewise, become more challenging. While our Franklin Street facility allows us to house over 12,000 objects, items are now vulnerable to damage and deterioration. Through the years this facility has become overcrowded, making a more efficient storage system necessary. So preliminary work, largely grant funded by two programs with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), plans for expansion has begun! We invite you to visit our museum an experience the history of Maritime in Manitowoc, WI and more! https://www.wisconsinmaritime.org/visit/    

Since 1906, the Northern Nevada Railway, in Ely, Nevada has been a logistics hub. Today a vibrant museum experience that takes you inside the inner workings of a railyard. The Museum, is the last of its kind, the sole survivor of a grand era in the Silver State. Now a National Historic Landmark, the Nevada Northern Railway Museum takes you back to a time when the iron horse ruled the rails. It is America’s best-preserved standard-gauge short line and a complete rail facility. In 1983 the railroad ran its last train. Citizens of the town concerned with the economic impacts of the loss of mining and the railroad approached Kennecott with the intent to acquire the railroad and open it as a tourist operation. Though a series of donations the Nevada Northern Railway Museum was formed. When visiting, see the first steam powered passenger excursion left the East Ely Depot Memorial Day weekend 1987 pulled by locomotive #40. You can actually take the Nevada Northern Railway's restored Fairmont Hy-Rail car out on the original Mainline track. This vehicle began life as a very cool 1956 Pontiac Chieftain station wagon. Fairmont converted many of these American family cars into utility vehicles... At the museum experience the thrill of operating a historic Doodlebug railcar with our Be the Engineer program! Take the controls and feel the power of this vintage self-propelled train as you navigate the rails of the Nevada Northern Railway. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for rail enthusiasts of all ages! You’ve heard the stories, read about it, or you’ve seen television programs like Hell on Wheels. But what was it really like to work on the railroad? Here’s your chance to spend a week and find out for yourself what Workin' on the Railroad really means. It’s Hands On... Looking for a unique place to hold your next event? School field trip coming up? Are you looking for a movie location with an authentic 1920's backdrop? Do you want to hold a family reunion aboard a moving train? Need a destination for a very memorable historic automobile rally? A fly-in location for a airplane owners club?Look no further. We can help you with all of this and more. So come and check us online and visit us soon! https://nnry.com/ - 775-289-2085  

The McLean County Museum of History traces its roots back to 1892, the year the McLean County Historical Society was founded. It is a nationally accredited award-winning museum with five permanent exhibit galleries and two rotating galleries. The Museum has its early roots beginning on December 5, 1903 when it held its first meeting in the room set aside for the Historical Society in the new McLean County courthouse. Today this room is currently used for textile storage. Ezra M. Prince, first secretary for the Society, also served as the first custodian caring for its records and curios. This educational institution is dedicated to telling the rich story of McLean County through programs which serve people of all ages. The museum features seven exhibit galleries, preserves more than 18,000 objects, makes available more than 15,000 rare and hard-to-find books on local history and genealogy, and manages 2,000 feet of historical papers and images in its archives.  Our mission is simple, to preserve, educate, and collaborate in sharing the diverse stories of the people of McLean County. This Museum achieves by: Preservation: We are a steward of McLean County history—discovering, researching, and sharing the tangible evidence of the past Education: We are a cornerstone for learning and civic engagement through programs, exhibitions, and outreach Collaboration: We are inclusive, seeking ideas and valuing multiple perspectives We look forward to seeing your anytime, as we are open year-round.  Our hours are from 9am to 5pm, Monday – Saturday. We are closed Sunday! 309-827-428. https://mchistory.org/visit