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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.

AGE GROUP: | All Ages |

EVENT TYPE: | Special Collections & Rare Books | History & Genealogy | Exhibits/Displays | Cultural Heritage |

TAGS: | |

Central Library
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Emily Vieyra
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We're open 9:00AM to 5:00PM

We're closed Sunday December 28 due to Library Closed
Mon, Dec 22 10:00AM to 7:00PM
Tue, Dec 23 10:00AM to 7:00PM
Wed, Dec 24 Closed
(Christmas Eve and Day)
Thu, Dec 25 Closed
(Christmas Eve and Day)
Fri, Dec 26 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, Dec 27 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Dec 28 Closed
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Upcoming Events

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Docent Tour - Guided Central Architectural Tour
Sat, Dec 27, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Central Library Tours
Join a Docent Tour Guide on a tour of the Central Library! The Docent will share the history of the Milwaukee Public Library and provide insight on architectural points of interest.
Coloring Party
Mon, Dec 29, 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
Take some time to relax with MPL! We have a wide variety of coloring pages and materials to enjoy!
You Are A Visionary!
Mon, Jan 05, 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
What would you like to do in 2026? Let's talk about it together and create vision boards to achieve our goals!
Story Time and Play Group
Tue, Jan 06, 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.
Tech-splanation @ MPL
Tue, Jan 06, 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! 
Monthly Makers
Tue, Jan 06, 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!
Housing Help - Homeless Outreach with Milwaukee County
Wed, Jan 07, 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.
Story Time
Thu, Jan 08, 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.
Baby Story Time
Thu, Jan 08, 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.
Job Search and Resume Assistance - Provided by Goodwill Workforce Connection Center
Thu, Jan 08, 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.
ABC Academy
Sat, Jan 10, 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!
Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Services
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.
Polar Plunge!
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.
Story Time and Play Group
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.
Housing Help - Homeless Outreach with Milwaukee County
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.
Story Time
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.
Baby Story Time
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.
Job Search and Resume Assistance - Provided by Goodwill Workforce Connection Center
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.
ABC Academy
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!
Story Time and Play Group
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.
Tech-splanation @ MPL
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! 
Hidden Chapter Book Club
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.
Housing Help - Homeless Outreach with Milwaukee County
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.
Story Time
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.
Baby Story Time
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.
Job Search and Resume Assistance - Provided by Goodwill Workforce Connection Center
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.
Geek Out!
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!
ABC Academy
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!
Yay Yasmin! Yay You!
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!
Cozy Crafting
Mon, Jan 26, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Frank P. Zeidler Humanities Room
Get cozy, craft, and meet up with friends and neighbors @Central Library!
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