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The Milwaukee Road: Rails of Innovation

Exhibit

2024-12-10 00:00:00 2024-12-10 23:59:00 America/Chicago The Milwaukee Road: Rails of Innovation Nov. 1st through Dec. 31st, 2024 Join us for an exhibit celebrating one of America?s most transformative railroads. Central Library - Main Street - First Floor, Mozart's Grove

Tuesday, December 10
All day

Add to Calendar 2024-12-10 00:00:00 2024-12-10 23:59:00 America/Chicago The Milwaukee Road: Rails of Innovation Nov. 1st through Dec. 31st, 2024 Join us for an exhibit celebrating one of America?s most transformative railroads. Central Library - Main Street - First Floor, Mozart's Grove

Central Library

Main Street - First Floor, Mozart's Grove

Nov. 1st through Dec. 31st, 2024 Join us for an exhibit celebrating one of America?s most transformative railroads.

Nov. 1st through Dec. 31st, 2024

 Join us for an exhibit celebrating one of America’s most transformative railroads. Officially known as the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, the Milwaukee Road was a pioneering force in rail transportation, shaping the Midwest and beyond. Founded in 1847 as Wisconsin’s first railroad, it grew to span over 10,000 miles, reaching the Pacific by 1909 and introducing innovations that changed the industry forever.

Renowned for breakthroughs such as electrifying mountainous routes, advancing railcar design, and launching luxurious passenger trains like the Hiawatha, the Milwaukee Road left an indelible mark on railroading history.

In 1981, the railroad donated its archives to the Milwaukee Public Library, ensuring the preservation of its rich history for future generations. Discover the story of speed, comfort, and innovation in this tribute to the Milwaukee Road’s enduring impact on American transportation.

Central Library

Branch manager
Timothy Fluhr

Hours
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Today's hours

We're open 1:00PM to 5:00PM

Mon, Jan 05 10:00AM to 7:00PM
Tue, Jan 06 10:00AM to 7:00PM
Wed, Jan 07 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Thu, Jan 08 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Fri, Jan 09 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, Jan 10 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Jan 11 1:00PM to 5:00PM

Upcoming Events

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Sun, Jan 11, All day
Main Street - First Floor
Mark Sekula is a Milwaukee-based artist, and will have a variety of paintings and artwork on display at Central Library during the month of January.

Mon, Jan 12, All day
Main Street - First Floor
Mark Sekula is a Milwaukee-based artist, and will have a variety of paintings and artwork on display at Central Library during the month of January.

Mon, Jan 12, 10:00am - 1:00pm
Other - See description for location
Community Access to Recovery Services (CARS) specializes in helping Milwaukee County residents get connected with resources to support those living with a mental health and substance use disorder.

Mon, Jan 12, 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
Plunge into winter with the library! We're reading poems about the Arctic, learning about the creatures that live there, and creating polar art together.

Tue, Jan 13, All day
Main Street - First Floor
Mark Sekula is a Milwaukee-based artist, and will have a variety of paintings and artwork on display at Central Library during the month of January.

Tue, Jan 13, 10:30am - 11:15am
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
A 20-minute story time for young children is followed by open play time. For children ages 3 and under, with a caregiver.

Tue, Jan 13, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Innovation and Learning Lab
In this beginner-friendly class, you'll learn what ChatGPT is, how it works, and how you can use it in your daily life.

Wed, Jan 14, All day
Other - See description for location
Mark Sekula is a Milwaukee-based artist, and will have a variety of paintings and artwork on display at Central Library during the month of January.

Wed, Jan 14, 2:30pm - 4:30pm
Chinese Room,Main Street - First Floor
Meet with a member of Milwaukee County's Street Outreach team and get connected to street, shelter and/or housing resources.

Thu, Jan 15, All day
Main Street - First Floor
Mark Sekula is a Milwaukee-based artist, and will have a variety of paintings and artwork on display at Central Library during the month of January.

Thu, Jan 15, 10:30am - 11:00am
Children's Story Steps
Young children and their caregivers are invited to story time filled with fun stories, songs, and finger plays designed to help little ones develop important early literacy skills.

Thu, Jan 15, 11:00am - 11:20am
Children's Room - Back Area
Share simple stories, playful songs and gentle movement in this lapsit story time for babies aged 0-18 months, with a caregiver.

Thu, Jan 15, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Main Street - Second Floor
A Goodwill Consultant will be available to provide job search assistance, resume-building help, and interview preparation.

Fri, Jan 16, All day
Main Street - First Floor
Mark Sekula is a Milwaukee-based artist, and will have a variety of paintings and artwork on display at Central Library during the month of January.

Sat, Jan 17, All day
Main Street - First Floor
Mark Sekula is a Milwaukee-based artist, and will have a variety of paintings and artwork on display at Central Library during the month of January.

Sat, Jan 17, 10:30am - 11:30am
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center,Children's Room - Back Area
Stories and a fun letter craft help build pre-reading and fine motor skills to support early literacy. This interactive program focuses on letter recognition. Each week, learn all about a new letter!

Sun, Jan 18, All day
Main Street - First Floor
Mark Sekula is a Milwaukee-based artist, and will have a variety of paintings and artwork on display at Central Library during the month of January.

Tue, Jan 20, All day
Main Street - First Floor
Mark Sekula is a Milwaukee-based artist, and will have a variety of paintings and artwork on display at Central Library during the month of January.

Tue, Jan 20, 10:30am - 11:15am
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
A 20-minute story time for young children is followed by open play time. For children ages 3 and under, with a caregiver.

Tue, Jan 20, 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Business Commons, Gift of Schoenleber Foundation and Elaine C. Lange - Collaboration Table #2
Do you have a question about your smartphone, tablet, or other electronic device? Need help accessing library resources? We can help! 

Tue, Jan 20, 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Innovation and Learning Lab
Is your desktop cluttered? Can you find what you need when you need it?

Tue, Jan 20, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Old Board Room
The Hidden Chapter Book Club gathers monthly to read, sip, and discover. January meeting will discuss Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman and explore a former MPD evidence room on the 4th floor.

Wed, Jan 21, All day
Other - See description for location
Mark Sekula is a Milwaukee-based artist, and will have a variety of paintings and artwork on display at Central Library during the month of January.

Wed, Jan 21, 1:00pm - 3:30pm
Mozart's Grove
Your health matters. Come talk to us! Aurora Mobile Health is providing free health services at Milwaukee Public Library Central Library for community members.

Wed, Jan 21, 2:30pm - 4:30pm
Chinese Room,Main Street - First Floor
Meet with a member of Milwaukee County's Street Outreach team and get connected to street, shelter and/or housing resources.

Thu, Jan 22, All day
Main Street - First Floor
Mark Sekula is a Milwaukee-based artist, and will have a variety of paintings and artwork on display at Central Library during the month of January.

Thu, Jan 22, 10:30am - 11:00am
Children's Story Steps
Young children and their caregivers are invited to story time filled with fun stories, songs, and finger plays designed to help little ones develop important early literacy skills.

Thu, Jan 22, 11:00am - 11:20am
Children's Room - Back Area
Share simple stories, playful songs and gentle movement in this lapsit story time for babies aged 0-18 months, with a caregiver.

Thu, Jan 22, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Main Street - Second Floor
A Goodwill Consultant will be available to provide job search assistance, resume-building help, and interview preparation.

Thu, Jan 22, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
Have a passion for geek media and culture? Come to Geek Out! a monthly program for teens who are enthusiastic for learning, creating and enjoying all things in geek, nerd or pop culture!

Fri, Jan 23, All day
Main Street - First Floor
Mark Sekula is a Milwaukee-based artist, and will have a variety of paintings and artwork on display at Central Library during the month of January.

Sat, Jan 24, All day
Main Street - First Floor
Mark Sekula is a Milwaukee-based artist, and will have a variety of paintings and artwork on display at Central Library during the month of January.

Sat, Jan 24, 10:00am - 1:00pm
Mozart's Grove
Join One MKE's Winter Kit Giveaway to gather your winter kit supplies for the rest of the season.

Sat, Jan 24, 10:30am - 11:30am
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center,Children's Room - Back Area
Stories and a fun letter craft help build pre-reading and fine motor skills to support early literacy. This interactive program focuses on letter recognition. Each week, learn all about a new letter!

Sat, Jan 24, 12:30pm - 2:30pm
Art, Music & Recreation Room
Open House program highlighting reference materials from the Art, Music & Recreation Room.

Sun, Jan 25, All day
Main Street - First Floor
Mark Sekula is a Milwaukee-based artist, and will have a variety of paintings and artwork on display at Central Library during the month of January.

Mon, Jan 26, All day
Main Street - First Floor
Mark Sekula is a Milwaukee-based artist, and will have a variety of paintings and artwork on display at Central Library during the month of January.

Mon, Jan 26, 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
Discover the Yasmin series by Saadia Faruqi and celebrate all the things that make Yasmin, Yasmin and make you, you!

Mon, Jan 26, 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Business Commons, Gift of Schoenleber Foundation and Elaine C. Lange,Innovation and Learning Lab
Learn how to navigate state contracting platforms and how your business can have a competitive edge!
Register

Mon, Jan 26, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Frank P. Zeidler Humanities Room
Get cozy, craft, and meet up with friends and neighbors @Central Library!

Tue, Jan 27, All day
Main Street - First Floor
Mark Sekula is a Milwaukee-based artist, and will have a variety of paintings and artwork on display at Central Library during the month of January.

Tue, Jan 27, 10:30am - 11:15am
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
A 20-minute story time for young children is followed by open play time. For children ages 3 and under, with a caregiver.

Tue, Jan 27, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Room
Library Board of Trustees Meeting

Wed, Jan 28, All day
Other - See description for location
Mark Sekula is a Milwaukee-based artist, and will have a variety of paintings and artwork on display at Central Library during the month of January.

Wed, Jan 28, 2:30pm - 4:30pm
Chinese Room,Main Street - First Floor
Meet with a member of Milwaukee County's Street Outreach team and get connected to street, shelter and/or housing resources.

Wed, Jan 28, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
East View Conference Room
Attend a free, brief consultation with an IP attorney to ask questions about getting started on protecting your patent or trademark.

Thu, Jan 29, All day
Main Street - First Floor
Mark Sekula is a Milwaukee-based artist, and will have a variety of paintings and artwork on display at Central Library during the month of January.

Thu, Jan 29, 10:30am - 11:00am
Children's Story Steps
Young children and their caregivers are invited to story time filled with fun stories, songs, and finger plays designed to help little ones develop important early literacy skills.

Thu, Jan 29, 11:00am - 11:20am
Children's Room - Back Area
Share simple stories, playful songs and gentle movement in this lapsit story time for babies aged 0-18 months, with a caregiver.

Thu, Jan 29, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Main Street - Second Floor
A Goodwill Consultant will be available to provide job search assistance, resume-building help, and interview preparation.

Fri, Jan 30, All day
Main Street - First Floor
Mark Sekula is a Milwaukee-based artist, and will have a variety of paintings and artwork on display at Central Library during the month of January.

Sat, Jan 31, All day
Main Street - First Floor
Mark Sekula is a Milwaukee-based artist, and will have a variety of paintings and artwork on display at Central Library during the month of January.

Sat, Jan 31, 10:30am - 11:30am
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center,Children's Room
Join us for imaginative play for families with young children. Pack up the tools! Get ready to plan and build with blocks and trucks with your young children at the construction site.

Tue, Feb 03, 10:30am - 11:15am
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
A 20-minute story time for young children is followed by open play time. For children ages 3 and under, with a caregiver.

Tue, Feb 03, 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Business Commons, Gift of Schoenleber Foundation and Elaine C. Lange - Collaboration Table #2
Do you have a question about your smartphone, tablet, or other electronic device? Need help accessing library resources? We can help! 

Thu, Feb 05, 10:30am - 11:00am
Children's Story Steps
Young children and their caregivers are invited to story time filled with fun stories, songs, and finger plays designed to help little ones develop important early literacy skills.

Thu, Feb 05, 10:30am - 11:45am
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Room
Join us at the beautiful Central Library for yoga and fellowship. Registration is encouraged. Walk-ins welcome.

Thu, Feb 05, 11:00am - 11:20am
Children's Room - Back Area
Share simple stories, playful songs and gentle movement in this lapsit story time for babies aged 0-18 months, with a caregiver.

Thu, Feb 05, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Main Street - Second Floor
A Goodwill Consultant will be available to provide job search assistance, resume-building help, and interview preparation.

Sat, Feb 07, 10:30am - 11:30am
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center,Children's Room - Back Area
Stories and a fun letter craft help build pre-reading and fine motor skills to support early literacy. This interactive program focuses on letter recognition. Each week, learn all about a new letter!

Sat, Feb 07, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Richard E. and Lucile Krug Rare Books Room
The official MLB scorer for Milwaukee, Tim O'Driscoll will tell stories from his almost 40-year career in professional baseball.

Mon, Feb 09, 10:00am - 1:00pm
Other - See description for location
Community Access to Recovery Services (CARS) specializes in helping Milwaukee County residents get connected with resources to support those living with a mental health and substance use disorder.

Mon, Feb 09, 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
Kids who care are the coolest! So, let's practice random acts of kindness and spread some love.

Tue, Feb 10, 10:30am - 11:15am
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
A 20-minute story time for young children is followed by open play time. For children ages 3 and under, with a caregiver.

Tue, Feb 10, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
Calling all makers and artists! Do you love creating? Want to try and learn a new skill but don't know where to start? Join us for a monthly maker session to try a new creative outlet each month!

Tue, Feb 10, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Innovation and Learning Lab
If you're thinking about buying a home or are simply wondering about the process, you've come to the right place!