The mid sized city of Manitowoc owes its heritage to shipbuilding, much of which continues today. Manitowoc has done a good job of restoring and highlighting its heritage buildings, many of which date from the 19th and early 20th Century. The town has four excellent museums across a spectrum of interests.
The Pinecrest Historical Musuem provides a glimpse of early 19th and 20th Century farm life in Manitowoc. Containing 25 outbuildings the museum has a large number of interesting displays featuring aspects of early farm living. Also on site are walking trails highlighting the area's geological foundations. The Pinecrest Historical Museum also hosts a variety of special festivals and events throughout the year including an Oktoberfest celebration.
The Rahr-West Art Museum is housed in a mansion built in the late 19th Century. Located in Manitowoc, the museum has a fine collection of items from this time frame including an interesting exhibit on dolls. The Rahr-West Art Museum hosts a variety of traveling exhibits, check with the box office to see what's playing or coming up.
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Memorial Day - USA (last Monday, May ), American Independance Day (July 4), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24), Easter - Christian
Parking: Free
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Those interested in the publishing business will want to be sure to check out the Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum in Two Rivers. This museum showcases old wood typeset that used to be involved in the production of newspapers and books. The museum also has restored some of the equipment to working condition and provides demonstrations. At one time, the Hamilton Wood Type company was the world's largest producer of wood type.
Coast Guard Station at Two Rivers.
Ice covered Coast Guard boat, Two Rivers, Wisconsin.
Hours:
May 1 to October 31: 9am-5pm; Sun:1pm-5pm; Closed: Mon
November 1 to April 30: 12pm-5pm; Closed: Mon, Sun, Mon
The Wisconsin Maritime Museum is a large and fantastic facility located on the shores of Lake Michigan in Manitowoc. One of the major attractions is a submarine that can be toured. The museum has a diverse collection of items and they are very well presented. This is one of the area's premier attractions and should not be missed.
Address: Wisconsin Maritime Museum, 75 Maritime Drive, Manitowoc, WI 54220-6823, United States
Phone: 1 (920) 684-0218, Fax: 1 (920) 684-0219
Hours:
May 24 to September 5: 9am-6pm
September 6 to May 23: 9am-5pm
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Easter - Christian
Tips: Cost includes admission to the museum and a submarine tour.
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.