It’s that time of year when the Milwaukee throws its doors wide and lets visitors take a peek behind the scenes of some of the city’s most iconic buildings. This year’s Doors Open Milwaukee will be held Sept. 26-27. The annual event celebrates Milwaukee’s architecture and history by inviting residents on free tours at locales across the city.
But this year’s event will be extra special because UW-Milwaukee will be a presenting sponsor. That means even more locations across the university will be available for the public to explore – including several buildings and locations operated by the College of Letters & Science. There will also be a Maker’s Market on Spaights Plaza (between the Student Union and Golda Meir Library), featuring over 50 student, alumni, and community craftspeople. Doors Open Milwaukee also coincides with UWM Panther Family Weekend, so be sure to check out those events too.
Plan your visit to see some of the L&S locations that are brand-new to the Doors Open event and take a peek at the returning favorites as well!
Check out this year’s new locations!
Chemistry Building (2000 E Kenwood Ave)
Completed in 2024, UWM’s newest building has become a vibrant hub for learning, research, and collaboration. The Chemistry Building boasts state-of-the-art facilities and attractive gathering spaces. Take a peek at some of laboratories where researchers study chemical processes related to medicine and drug discovery, the environment, and so much more.
On the way, you’ll be able to watch some amazing science demonstrations, and maybe even try a tasty treat: Our chemistry faculty and students will be making ice cream with liquid nitrogen for guests to enjoy.
Downer Woods (Entrance near Sandburg Halls)
Take a walk through UWM’s 11 acres of urban forest, where students study plant and animal behavior and hone their geography skills. Guides will leave at the top of every hour between 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. to take visitors on tours along the wooded paths and small bridges that crisscross the woods.
Along the way, you’ll be able to learn about some of the fascinating research that takes place among the trees. For example, did you know that Downer Woods is integral to climatology research? UWM geographers track when the trees and bushes start to bud each spring to determine how climate change has impacted the timing of seasonal transitions.
Emile H. Mathis Art Gallery (Mitchell Hall 170, 3203 N Downer Ave)
If you haven’t visited the Emile H. Mathis Art Gallery inside of UWM’s Mitchell Hall before, now is the perfect opportunity to marvel at the extensive collection. The Gallery includes artworks by notable painters like Rembrandt, Picasso, and Warhol, in addition to modern art, African art, Greek and Russian icons, and so much more.
During Doors Open, guests will also have a rare glimpse into the gallery collection’s storage areas, which are typically closed to the public.
Retro Computing Lab (Holton 402, 2442 E Hartford Ave)
Step into the computing past at UWM’s Retro Computing Lab in Holton Hall 402. This small museum hosts about 50 vintage computers ranging from classics like the Apple II and Commodore 64 to early PCs and other machines throughout the decades. All are fully functional – you may even recognize some computers from your childhood.
Drop by the lab and play some vintage video games on their original machines and view the full catalogue of computers. You’ll also be able to meet UWM History Professor Thomas Haigh, the founder of the Retrolab.
Kenwood Interdisciplinary Research Complex (3135 N Maryland Ave)
Opened in 2015, this building with soaring glass walls and six stories is the home of the Milwaukee Institute for Drug Discovery as well as UWM’s Leonard E. Park Center for Gravitation, Cosmology, & Astrophysics (CGCA). Stop by for a short, guided tour of the building and some fun science demonstrations in the main atrium, including infrared selfie pictures.
And if you’re excited about space, stick around. Members of the student-led Coffeeshop Astrophysics team will be presenting several lectures throughout the day. You can also meet some of our amazing faculty who are part of the international LIGO team, which made one of modern history’s greatest scientific discoveries: The first-ever detection of gravitational waves, which were predicted by Albert Einstein a century ago.
Don’t forget about the returning favorites!
UWM Biological Sciences Greenhouse (NW Quad 4th Floor, 2025 E Newport Ave)
Normally closed to the public, the greenhouse will once again open its doors to a veritable jungle of more than 650 varieties of plants, including some rare and endangered species. Faculty and students will be on-hand to show visitors around the three wings and workspaces of the greenhouse. Watch short films about pollinators, see some microscopic plant wonders, and enjoy other interactive displays as you wander through the leafy, lush paths through the plants.
UWM Manfred Olson Planetarium (1900 E Kenwood Blvd)
The Planetarium has been a fan favorite at Doors Open Milwaukee for years – for good reason! Featuring a Spitz A3P optomechanical projector and other special projectors for visual effects, the Planetarium brings the sun, moon, and stars closer than ever before.
Visit the Planetarium on Sept. 26 for shows starting at 1:00 pm, 1:45 pm, 2:30 pm, 3:15 pm, 4:00pm, and 4:30pm. To attend the planetarium show, check in at the ticket table in the hallway outside of the Planetarium starting as early as 30 minutes before the show start time to reserve your free spot.
UWM Thomas A. Greene Geological Museum (Lapham 168, 3209 N Maryland Ave)
With thousands of rocks, minerals, and fossils on display, the Green Museum is a treasure trove of geologic delights. The collection was amassed by Thomas A. Greene, a Milwaukee pharmacist and rock hound who gathered more than 75,000 samples from around the globe. Today, the museum also displays a collection of Chinese minerals recently on loan.
When you come, enjoy a self-guided tour through the museum. Look for fossils found right here in the Milwaukee area, and see sands from around the world. You can also check out the seismometer (and perhaps create your own mini-earthquakes by jumping), and create topological maps in the interactive sandbox.
WUWM Radio (Chase Tower, 111 E Wisconsin Ave Suite 700)
WUWM Radio, Milwaukee’s NPR station, operates under the umbrella of the College of Letters & Science. The station’s office in Chase Tower in downtown Milwaukee will be open for self-guided tours, so you can catch a glimpse of the studios where your favorite hosts broadcast the news. The offices also have a timeline showing WUWM’s 62 years of station history so you can get a deep understanding of how the station has shaped news in Milwaukee and created a deeper connection between listeners and the city.
Can’t get enough of Doors Open UWM? Be sure to check out the other locations open on campus!
By Sarah Vickery, College of Letters & Science