The Oshkosh Public Museum invites you to discover the real things of history and the stories they tell through our many exhibitions and programs throughout the year. While these programs and events support our mission of promoting and nurturing an understanding and appreciation of local history and culture, above all else they are fun and interesting ways to enjoy learning.

Program Calendar 

Night Whispers

Join us for 45 minute tours starting at 6 pm, 6:30 pm, 7 pm
Experience the New Night Whispers. Guided tours display the museum’s darker side, literally, while leading guests to uncover the community’s past of scary occurrences, deadly deeds and ghostly goings-on. (Warning, walking and standing in limited light. Not recommended for children. The cost of the program is $15 per tour for members and non-members. REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Oct 24,  6 pm  Register Here  |   6:30 pm Register Here  |   7 pm  Register Here

Modern American Spiritualism

Friday, October 25, 6 pm
Learn about the Science, Philosophy, and Religion of Continuous Life, Modern American Spiritualism. Find out what Spiritualists believe in, the history of Spiritualism in the US, and how mediumship is practiced. Will include a short lecture, question and answer period, and a demonstration of mediumship for a few people. Hosted by Ordained Spiritualist Ministers and Teachers. $10 per person, members enter code Member, students enter code student, seniors enter code Seniors when registering to reflect your total in the cart or call 920-236-5799 to reserve your spot. For ages 18 and up. Register Here.

Presenting the Paranormal Phenomena
Saturday, October 26, 1 pm
Tim Maile and Todd Arnold, Co-Founders of Fox Cities Paranormal Team will share their ideas on paranormal phenomena, what being a paranormal investigator means to them, and share stories from investigations throughout Wisconsin, including investigations at Oshkosh Public Museum. If you have an interest in the paranormal or just want to learn more about what they do and the processes that they use, this program is a must see! Cost is $8 for general admission members enter code Member in the cart, seniors enter code Senior, students enter code Student to reflect the price, or call 920-236-5799 to reserve your free admission. Register Here. 

Is the Oshkosh Public Museum Haunted?
Thursday, October 31, 6 pm – Participants wearing a costume will receive something special!
Have paranormal things happened at the museum? Curator Deb Daubert will disclose what made the museum gather information on local ghost stories and undertake several different paranormal investigations. Cost is $10, members enter code Member in the cart to reflect the price, or call 920-236-5799 to reserve your free admission. A special gift to those wearing a costume! Register Here.

On the Hunt, the History of Deer Hunting in Wisconsin
Saturday, Nov 9, 1 pm
Robert Willging is a freelance outdoor and history writer whose work has appeared in Deer & Deer Hunting, Wisconsin Outdoor Journal, and Wisconsin Natural Resources to name just a few. He is the author of two books, On the Hunt: The History of Deer Hunting in Wisconsin and History Afield: Stories from the Golden Age of Wisconsin Sporting Life. His presentation will recount the incredible history of deer hunting in the Badger state. Books will be available to purchase. Register by November 6th. Cost is $8, Members add code Member when in the cart, seniors enter code Seniors, students enter code Student to reflect your cost for the program. Register Here. 

Early Firearms History
Saturday, Nov 16, 1 pm
From the Medieval Era to the American Civil War, the only firearms were those that loaded from the muzzle. How did they function and shoot? Join Museum Director Brad Larson for an overview of firearm history. Various muzzle loading firearms will be available for inspection. Register by November 14th. Cost is $8, Members add code Member in the cart, seniors enter code Seniors, students enter code Student to reflect your cost for the program. Register Here. 

Deck the Halls: Let the Elf Hunting Begin!
Sunday, Nov 24, 1:30 pm
Begin the holiday experience at the beautiful Sawyer home traditionally decorated in holiday décor. Come and enjoy the gallery on the second floor of the Museum with a whimsical exhibit of “Santa’s Toy Workshop.” This family friendly afternoon will offer storytime, holiday crafts, cookies, punch, and Santa’s elves cleverly hidden throughout the Museum for our ever popular elf scavenger hunt.  Children will receive FREE admission for this afternoon of family fun. Cost is $8, Members add code Member in the cart, seniors enter code Seniors, students enter code Student, and enter code Child to reflect your cost for the program.   Register Here

Longbows and Feathered Shafts: Traditional Archery
Saturday, Dec 14, 1 pm
Are you interested in the famous longbow or the graceful recurve bow? Are you curious about or thinking of trying your hand hunting with traditional archery gear? Museum Director Brad Larson will take you back to archery's roots. Register by December 12. Cost is $8, Members enter code Member when in the cart, seniors enter code Seniors, students enter code Student to reflect your cost for the program. Register Here. 

Kids Holiday Party at the Museum
Friday, Dec 27, 1 pm
You and your doll or stuffed buddy are invited to join Registrar Emily Rock to learn about toys from years ago. Do you think any of those toys are in your house? Make crafts, have a snack, and explore the Deck the Halls toy exhibit. Adults may accompany their children. Register by Decemnber 22. Cost is $8 each for children and Accompanying Adults. Members add code Member to the cart, seniors enter code Seniors, students enter code Student to reflect your cost of $5. Register Here.

If you need assistance with the online registration system, please call 920-236-5799. We can take registrations/payments over the phone. 

Temporary Exhibitions

Cemetery Tales: The Exhibition
Jul 21 - Oct 31, 2019
This gripping exhibition resurrects popular life and death stories, and also features local mourning and funeral history, while artifacts, photographs and other ghastly surprises breathe life into these local legends. Read more>

Deck the Halls
Nov 24, 2019 - Jan 5, 2020
Stroll through the halls of the historic Sawyer home to witness the beautiful holiday decorations and marvel at the gorgeous interiors designed by Tiffany Studios of New York. Read more>

Monthly Make and Take Projects 

Every visit to the Oshkosh Public Museum can be enhanced with a special make-and-take project. Located in the sunroom near the main entrance, this area features an entertaining, historical do-it-yourself project.

The take home activity changes monthly, and directions and supplies are provided to make and take home your very own piece of history.

October: Ghost Stories

Have you heard any of Oshkosh’s ghost stories? Come for a visit and learn a local ghost story in Cemetery Tales: The Exhibition, then make your own mini campfire that you can gather around and tell your own chilling tales.

November: Harvest Season

For Native Americans, the fall season was an important time of harvest and winter preparation. Learn what kinds of food they harvested and how they preserved them, then make your own corn cob decoration to celebrate the season.

December: Deck the Halls
Visit the Deck the Halls exhibit featuring toys and try to find all the tricky little elves hidden around the Museum. Make your own mini elf to take home and hide this holiday season.