Dawn Scher Thomae, Curator of Anthropology, Milwaukee Public Museum
“From Behind Closed Doors: Excavating the Milwaukee Public Museum’s Wisconsin Archaeology Collection”
Sponsored by the Wisconsin Archaeological Society

Abstract: The Milwaukee Public Museum (MPM) houses over four million artifacts and specimens, with impressive collections in many fields. In particular, the Wisconsin archaeology collection includes over 35,000 items, comprising about 77% of the North American archaeological holdings. Due to the vast number, redundant nature, and condition of some objects, only a small portion can be displayed on the exhibit floors. Much of the material remains in storage as a repository of the state’s heritage, accessible to researchers and used for education programs and loans. Journey into Milwaukee Public Museum’s storage rooms with Curator of Anthropology Collections Dawn Scher Thomae as she presents an overview of MPM’s Wisconsin archaeology collection, including highlights of remarkable artifacts and unusual stories associated with one of the largest and most diverse archaeology collections in the state.