Hearthstone Historic House in Appleton, Wisconsin, has received the 2020 Museum Exhibit Award (Budget Less than $5,000) for its exhibition "Kitty's Wedding: You're Invited - The 130th Anniversary of Kitty Rogers' Wedding." The Grohmann Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has received the 2020 Museum Exhibit Award (Budget Greater than $5,000) for its exhibition "Magnificent Machines of Milwaukee and the Engineers Who Created Them."

About the Exhibits

Using the museum's collections and re-created decorations, "Kitty's Wedding: You're Invited - The 130th Anniversary of Kitty Rogers' Wedding" tells the story of one wedding from the engagement, through the ceremony, to the reception. By recounting that story, the exhibit shares a local story of love and wedding traditions. Relying on newspaper accounts of the day, Hearthstone Historic House was again overflowing with flowers and other decorations meticulously crafted by the curator and volunteers to the descriptions of the day. The exhibit includes variety of Kitty's wedding gifts, as well as historic wedding attire from Hearthstone's collections. The exhibition includes an on-going, online synopsis that encapsulates the exhibit script and provides stunning photographic visuals.

"The Magnificent Machines of Milwaukee and the Engineers Who Created Them" temporary exhibition is based on the book of the same name by engineer and historian Thomas Fehring. The exhibition traces Milwaukee's history of engineering and innovation from 1860-1960 and includes many of the original machines, patents, and models produced during that time. This exhibition highlights some of the most significant engineering marvels in Milwaukee's history and includes photographs, documents, ephemera, and a number of the actual machines highlighted in the book by engineer Thomas Fehring, who served as co-curator alongside Museum Director James Kieselburg.

About the Award

Two awards for historical exhibits on Wisconsin themes are offered each year: one for an exhibition budget of $5,000 or less and one for an exhibition budget greater than $5,000. Each award is given to the organization that creates an exhibit that meets the award criteria and, in the opinion of the judges, made the most valuable contribution to public understanding of Wisconsin's past during the preceding calendar year.

Learn More

• Learn about the Museum Exhibit Award

  Learn how to nominate leaders for this award.

• Learn about the Board of Curators Awards