Enrichment Programs
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.
Our goal is to utilize a new scheduling software for our programs offered at the Museum. The registration process should be easy to maneuver and quick to complete and we look forward to offering this in the upcoming future for our guests. We appreciate your patience!
Program Calendar
A World of Partings: Excerpts from the Diary of Nancy Chandler Derby, 1857-1869
Saturday, February 1, 2020, 1:30 pm
Ginny Gross
In this remarkable diary, Nancy Derby recounted daily life in Oshkosh during the late 1850's and 1860's, and included her account of a fascinating journey to Alabama where she lived for two years on the eve of the Civil War. Her record of life throughout and after that war provides a firsthand account of how people lived at the time. Ginny Gross edited the experiences and lifestyle that Nancy Derby related and put them in a readable form. Repeating the program she gave in 2018, she will present highlights and readings from the diary, and discuss the process of creating a published volume from another person’s private journal. The cost is General Admission. When you click to register, there will be three different carts to select from, member, senior and adult for this program. You are able to move between the carts to add the amount you are registering for. Please remember, members are free.
Wisconsin Lighthouses
Saturday, February 8, 2020, 1:30 pm
Barb & Ken Wardius
Barb and Ken Wardius, authors and photographers of the book “Wisconsin Lighthouses-A Photographic and Historical Guide” offer a slide/lecture presentation that highlights many of Wisconsin’s historical beacons. Their program is approximately 45 minutes in length and features many stunning images in a combination of lecture, storytelling and music. The presentation covers 1/3 of the lights in the state, including Cana Island Lighthouse, Wisconsin Point Light, Sand Island Light, Rockwell Lighthouse, Rawley Point, Wind Point and many more. This Wisconsin Lighthouse program is perfect for anyone interested in lighthouses, maritime history or simply breathtaking photography. This cost of this program is general admission, members are free. To register for this program, please call us at 920-236-5799.
Then & Now: Old Photos as Today - Exhibit Reception
Sunday, February 23, 2020, 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Join us opening day for the exhibit, Then & Now. We have selected an amazing array of photographs from the 70,000 in the Museum's collection. See first-hand the photos from years past and how five local photographers captured a similar moment in time, reimaged those photos today. Meet the photographers, enjoy snacks and refreshments. The cost is general admission. To register for this program, please call us at 920-236-5799.
Pinholiness
Pinhole Photography
Saturday, February 29, 1:30 pm
Nick Dvoracek
Are you interested in learning more about photography? Nick Dvoracek answers the questions: What pinhole? Why pinhole? and What-me-pinhole? How pinholes form images, how that affects the picture, the cameras he’s made to do it and how that affects his photographs. The cost of the program is general admission. To register for this program, please call us at 920-236-5799.
If you need assistance with the online registration system, please call 920-236-5799. We can take registrations/payments over the phone.
Temporary Exhibitions
Then & Now, Old Photos as Today
Feb 23, 2020 - May 24, 2020
Then & Now showcase the creativity of the photographers in the way they saw the original historic photographs and recreated the photo of today in several different ways. The exhibition offers the original locations and the passage of time in the same photos in comparison; posing people in a similar manner or situation but updated it to today; an occupation as it looks currently; and a situation or setting reimagined to the 21st century.
Monthly Make and Take Projects for Kids!
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.
January: Winter is for the Birds
Don’t you wish you could fly south once it starts to get cold? Well, there are many types of birds that stick around Wisconsin during the snowy months, just like us! Learn about the different types of birds and how they survive the winter, then make your own bird ornament.
February: Underground Railroad
Celebrate Black History Month at the Museum. Learn about the Underground Railroad in Wisconsin and how escaped slaves used the night sky to navigate to freedom, then create your own constellation.