Museum Storytelling
Storytelling has existed as long as humanity has had language – myths and tales are a way to communicate history and the lessons of life. Just as every culture has its stories, every culture also has its storyteller, often revered figures with the magic of the tale in their voices and minds.
Join Museum educators as they bring exhibits alive through legends, myths and other tales of different cultures. Laugh, listen, participate, learn and experience the Milwaukee Public Museum through story!
Museum Storytelling takes place on the first Friday of every month, unless otherwise noted. Each session lasts from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Stories are told on the hour and half-hour and last 15-20 minutes. FREE with admission.
Museum Storytelling Events 2009-2010
October 9: The Prince's Bride
Hear and participate in a traditional Filipino children’s tale about a prince who seeks out a very unusual bride so that he may take over his father’s kingdom. *Offered in conjunction with our October Celebration of Culture.
Where: Third floor, Filipino exhibit area
November 6: Goat in the Rug
Learn about the art of Navajo weaving -- as told through the eyes of Geraldine the goat -- in Charles L. Blood and Martin Link’s children’s tale.
Where: Second floor, Southwest Desert exhibit
December 4: The Christmas Tree Ship
Hear the story of the famous “Christmas Tree Ship” as you make your own storytelling ornament. Then become the storyteller as you share the story with friends and family with your new storytelling ornament.
Where: First floor, Streets of Old Milwaukee
January 1: Mammoth Tales
Discover the Museum’s newest permanent exhibit, the Hebior Mammoth, through story. Learn how to determine the difference between a mastodon and a mammoth as you step back in time, 12,000 years, to the ice age. Brrrr…
Where: First floor, Third Planet exhibit
February 5: Call of the Wild
Explore the Museum's Arctic exhibits through story and hands-on activities to discover and experience life in the frosty North where only the strong survive. Hear the call of the wild, see its' vast frozen wilderness and feel the bone chilling air that takes Buck back to his ancestral instinct to survive!
Where: Third floor, Arctic exhibit
March 5: Archeology “Motel Mysteries”
Step into the future and discover archeology through a comical story called “Motel Mysteries” as you uncover a motel room from the past.
Where: Third floor, next to the elevators
April 2: Ancient Sands Ancient Scrolls
Join us for a storytelling performance in conjunction with the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit, as we present a trio of tales from the mysterious lands of the Middle East.
Where: Location TBA
May 7: Hmong Story Cloth
Hear the story of the Hmong through a traditional Story Cloth.
Where: Third floor, Asian exhibit area
June 4: Archeology “Motel Mysteries”
Step into the future and discover archeology through a comical book called “Motel Mysteries” as you uncover a motel room from the past.
Where: Third floor, next to the elevators