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BioBlitz 2021

Wehr Nature Center

June 18-21, 2021

Property Description

map of nature centerWehr Nature Center and Whitnall Park contain a unique set of diverse natural environments in a familiar suburban setting.

Puelicher Butterfly Wing

 Transport yourself to a sensory wonderland.

Stroll through a lush, tropical garden. Hear the murmur of a cascading waterfall and the soothing sounds of tranquil music. Watch as exotic butterflies emerge from their chrysalises and sip nectar right before your eyes.

This magical atmosphere, filled with swirls of brilliant color and fanciful patterns of butterflies in flight, can only be found in the Museum's Puelicher Butterfly Wing.

Aztalan Site Collection

Aztalan, located on the Crawfish River in south-central Wisconsin near present-day Lake Mills, is approximately 50 miles west of Milwaukee. Occupied from about AD 1100-1250, Aztalan is the northernmost known outpost of the Mississippian culture. The site consists of large earthen temple mounds, houses, and an enormous stockade that enclosed 20 acres of the site.

The Milwaukee Public Museum's Aztalan collection is comprised of over 3,600 archaeological artifacts. The majority of the collection comes from the excavations of 1919, 1920, and 1932 conducted by Museum Director Samuel A. Barrett. This collection is the largest assemblage of cultural remains from a single North American archaeological site in the Museum's collections. See select items in the Wisconsin Archaeology exhibit on the Second Floor and on the Museum's website here.

Item Image
aztalan collection
Catalog Number
A27644
Accession Number
6948
69
Catalog Number : E17378
Accession Number : 4615
Material : Wood, paint
Generally speaking, native communities on Canada's Pacific Coast regard sharks as having the capacity to be both benevolent and dangerous. This particular mask could reference a Kwakiutl story about a boy who was thrown to a shark by the character known as Weight-on-Floor, or is perhaps the crest of a shark clan.

The Collection

The Aztalan collection of the Milwaukee Public Museum is composed of over 3,600 archaeological artifacts primarily excavated and collected by Dr. Samuel A. Barrett in the field seasons of 1919, 1920, and 1932. This collection is the largest assemblage of cultural remains from a single North American archaeological site in the Milwaukee Public Museum.

Navajo Rug Collection

The Navajo rug collection is the largest museum-held collection of its type in the state of Wisconsin, comprising over 200 rugs representing all major types, ages, and styles. As early as the 1800s, the Navajo were recognized for their high quality of weaving by both neighboring American Indian groups and the Spanish. The changing designs of the rugs have been influenced by trade and later, tourism. Several examples of these rugs can be seen in the Southwest exhibit on the Second Floor.

Item Image
rug
Catalog Number
E10552
Accession Number
3101
74

Planetarium Newsletter - January 2022

Cosmic Curiosities

“The Earth is what we all have in common.”
- Wendell Berry, American writer

The Three Faces of Venus

Humans have been looking at planet Venus, the “wandering star,” for thousands of years. Perceptions vary from person to person, culture to culture, and Venus views change over time.

Here are three faces I see when I ponder Venus…

SKY FACE