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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 - Exhibit, 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 - Exhibit, Mozart's Grove

Central Library

Main Street - Exhibit, 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
Marian Royal

Hours

Today's hours

We're open 10:00AM to 7:00PM

Mon, Feb 03 10:00AM to 7:00PM
Tue, Feb 04 10:00AM to 7:00PM
Wed, Feb 05 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Thu, Feb 06 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Fri, Feb 07 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, Feb 08 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Feb 09 1:00PM to 5:00PM

Upcoming Events

Tue, Feb 04, 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 04, 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Business Commons, Gift of Schoenleber Foundation and Elaine C. Lange - Collaboration Table #1
Do you have a question about your smartphone, tablet, or other electronic device? Need help accessing library resources? We can help!

Tue, Feb 04, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
Show some love to your friends this month! Join us to create handmade bracelets or key chains to gift to your friends (or keep for yourself)!

Tue, Feb 04, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Room
Inaugural ceremony for the 2025-2026 MPL Poet Laureate, Shelly Conley

Wed, Feb 05, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Children's Room - Back Area
Come build with us! We'll supply a variety of building materials and you'll bring the creativity. Meet friends and see what you can create together.

Thu, Feb 06, 10:30am - 11:30am
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Room
Join us at the beautiful Central Library for an adaptive yoga class suitable for people of all abilities. Registration is encouraged, but not required.

Thu, Feb 06, 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.

Thu, Feb 06, 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 06, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Main Street - Second Floor Event/Program
A Goodwill Consultant will be available to provide job search assistance, resume-building help, and interview preparation.

Sat, Feb 08, 10:00am - 2:00pm
Main Street - Event/Program
Celebrate Black History Month by joining MPL's annual Black History Month Reading Challenge, visiting community partner tables, and attending all ages programming.

Sat, Feb 08, 10:30am - 11:15am
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
Let's make art! Author and illustrator Christian Robinson's "art of fun" inspires this Black History Month program where we'll play with shape, color, and texture--letting our imaginations soar!

Sat, Feb 08, 11:30am - 1:00pm
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Room
Join local illustrator Aaron Boyd for an inspiring hands-on illustration workshop for all ages! After a behind-the-scenes look into Aaron's process, create and share your own artistic interpretations.

Tue, Feb 11, 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 11, 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Business Commons, Gift of Schoenleber Foundation and Elaine C. Lange - Collaboration Table #1
Do you have a question about your smartphone, tablet, or other electronic device? Need help accessing library resources? We can help!

Tue, Feb 11, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Room
MPL hosts an evening with Dr. Derek G. Handley, author of Struggle for the City: Citizenship and Resistance in the Black Freedom Movement, and an Assistant Professor of English at UWM.

Wed, Feb 12, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Children's Room - Back Area
Come build with us! We'll supply a variety of building materials and you'll bring the creativity. Meet friends and see what you can create together.

Wed, Feb 12, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
Feeling crafty? Drop in to sample a variety of new crafts, or bring your own work-in-progress! Learn basic hand-sewing and embroidery stitches, beginner crochet, and more!

Thu, Feb 13, 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.

Thu, Feb 13, 10:30am - 11:30am
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Room
Join us at the beautiful Central Library for an adaptive yoga class suitable for people of all abilities. Registration is encouraged, but not required.

Thu, Feb 13, 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 13, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Main Street - Second Floor Event/Program
A Goodwill Consultant will be available to provide job search assistance, resume-building help, and interview preparation.

Sat, Feb 15, 9:30am - 10:30am
Paul Gottfried Krikelas Technology Conference Room
Learn about library resources to help the beginner genealogist.

Sat, Feb 15, 10:30am - 11:30am
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
Dinosaur Play and Learn

Mon, Feb 17, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Business Commons, Gift of Schoenleber Foundation and Elaine C. Lange
Learn tips to securing a business loan!

Tue, Feb 18, 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 18, 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Business Commons, Gift of Schoenleber Foundation and Elaine C. Lange - Collaboration Table #1
Do you have a question about your smartphone, tablet, or other electronic device? Need help accessing library resources? We can help!

Tue, Feb 18, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Business Commons, Gift of Schoenleber Foundation and Elaine C. Lange
Learn from Lisa Raebel, founder of Rebel Girl Marketing, on how you can transform your approach to digital marketing!

Wed, Feb 19, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Children's Room - Back Area
Come build with us! We'll supply a variety of building materials and you'll bring the creativity. Meet friends and see what you can create together.

Thu, Feb 20, 10:30am - 11:30am
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Room
Join us at the beautiful Central Library for an adaptive yoga class suitable for people of all abilities. Registration is encouraged, but not required.

Thu, Feb 20, 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.

Thu, Feb 20, 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 20, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Main Street - Second Floor Event/Program
A Goodwill Consultant will be available to provide job search assistance, resume-building help, and interview preparation.

Sat, Feb 22, 10:00am - 1:00pm
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Room
Learn a variety of simple but creative story time props to develop early literacy skills that can be made using open-access online finds and other recyclables.

Sat, Feb 22, 10:30am - 11:15am
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
Put on your crown and create like a "Radiant Child" this Black History Month! Learn how Jean Michel Basquiat became an influential contemporary artist and create your own Basquiat-inspired portrait.

Mon, Feb 24, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Main Street - Second Floor Event/Program
An Outreach Social Worker from the Milwaukee County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) will be available at the Central Library.

Mon, Feb 24, 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Other - See description for location
Come explore some of the Milwaukee Public Library's unique archives and special collections in our Art, Music and Recreation Room on the 2nd floor of Central Library.

Tue, Feb 25, 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 25, 4:00pm - 6:30pm
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Room,Rotunda
Join us for a Black History Month event focused on health, wellness, and community empowerment. Connect with experts, gain tips, and celebrate Black leaders' contributions to health and wellness!

Wed, Feb 26, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Paul Gottfried Krikelas Technology Conference Room
Attend a free, brief consultation with an IP attorney to ask questions about getting started on protecting your patent or trademark.

Wed, Feb 26, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Children's Room - Back Area
Come build with us! We'll supply a variety of building materials and you'll bring the creativity. Meet friends and see what you can create together.

Thu, Feb 27, 10:30am - 11:30am
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Room
Join us at the beautiful Central Library for an adaptive yoga class suitable for people of all abilities. Registration is encouraged, but not required.

Thu, Feb 27, 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.

Thu, Feb 27, 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 27, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Main Street - Second Floor Event/Program
A Goodwill Consultant will be available to provide job search assistance, resume-building help, and interview preparation.

Thu, Feb 27, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
Do you have a favorite anime series you can't stop talking about? Join us to meet other anime and manga fans, watch your favorite series, and practice your own anime art or make a fun craft.

Thu, Feb 27, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Paul Gottfried Krikelas Technology Conference Room
Learn about free business resources!

Fri, Feb 28, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Room
Join MPL and America's Black Holocaust Museum (ABHM) in a discussion of A Time of Terror: A Survivor's Story, the 1982 memoir by Dr. James Cameron, and a display of the Cameron Pamphlet Collection.

Sat, Mar 01, 10:30am - 11:15am
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
Mountains under the ocean?! Thanks to Marie Tharp's ocean mapping, we know it's true! Inspired by Marie's work, let's pretend we're cartographers and explore the landforms lurking below the waves.

Tue, Mar 04, 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, Mar 04, 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Business Commons, Gift of Schoenleber Foundation and Elaine C. Lange - Collaboration Table #1
Do you have a question about your smartphone, tablet, or other electronic device? Need help accessing library resources? We can help!

Wed, Mar 05, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Children's Room - Back Area
Come build with us! We'll supply a variety of building materials and you'll bring the creativity. Meet friends and see what you can create together.

Thu, Mar 06, 10:30am - 11:30am
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Room
Join us at the beautiful Central Library for an adaptive yoga class suitable for people of all abilities. Registration is encouraged, but not required.

Thu, Mar 06, 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.

Thu, Mar 06, 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, Mar 06, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Main Street - Second Floor Event/Program
A Goodwill Consultant will be available to provide job search assistance, resume-building help, and interview preparation.