Chudnow Museum of Yesteryear facts for kids
The Chudnow Museum of Yesteryear was a special place that showed what life was like in the past. "Yesteryear" means "the past," especially a time not too long ago. Avrum (Abe) M. Chudnow started this museum in 1991. It was located in an old house in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. This house was built in 1869 and used to be a doctor's home and clinic. The museum closed its doors in early 2021. Its amazing collection of items from the late 1800s to 1970 moved to the Cedarburg History Museum.
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A Boy's Dream: Starting a Collection
Abe Chudnow loved collecting things, just like his father. His father was a peddler, buying and selling old items. Abe's grandparents came to the United States with very little. They worked hard to build a new life. This strong work ethic was passed down to Abe.
Abe's Journey and Early Finds
Abe worked hard to go to Marquette University Law School. He earned his law degree in 1937. While studying, he had many jobs, like selling shoes and newspaper subscriptions. From each job, he kept little souvenirs. When he joined the Army during World War II, he also started collecting military items.
Growing the Collection at Home
Abe was very proud of his collection. It included toys from his childhood and items from his jobs and military service. He first displayed everything at home. Over the years, his basement filled up with treasures. He found these items at flea markets, antique shops, and received them from family and friends. As his house became full, he started moving parts of his collection to his office.
Organizing the Treasures
At his office, Abe began to organize his growing collection. He grouped items together, creating displays that looked like old pharmacies, breweries, barbershops, and grocery stores. He wanted others to enjoy seeing these pieces of history. The collection grew, focusing on the first half of the 20th century. It also highlighted the history of the Jewish community in Milwaukee.
Creating the Museum
In 1991, Abe Chudnow officially created the Chudnow Museum of Yesteryear. He set it up as a non-profit organization. This meant it was a museum for the public good, not to make money. Soon after, Abe hired someone to help catalog all the items. He also loaned parts of his collection to schools, synagogues, and other museums. These included the Milwaukee Public Museum and the Milwaukee County Historical Society.
The Chudnow House Museum Opens
Abe Chudnow passed away in 2005. His family wanted to make his dream of a permanent museum come true. They decided to turn his old office building into the museum. The Chudnow family donated all of Abe's collections from both his home and office to the museum.
Bringing History to Life
The house was renovated in 2011 and finished in 2012. The museum displayed Abe's collection in a special way. It recreated scenes from the early 1900s. Visitors could see an old-fashioned grocery store, an ice cream parlor, and even a train depot. Other areas showed more of his collection. These included toys, books, musical instruments, political campaign items, clothing, and Jewish artifacts.
The museum officially opened to the public on July 20, 2012. A big Grand Opening celebration happened on August 18–19, 2012.
A New Home for the Collection
In December 2020, the Chudnow Museum of Yesteryear closed its doors for good. The entire collection was moved to the Cedarburg History Museum. There, these historical items are kept safe and displayed. They help tell the story of the region's history. The old museum building was sold.
