Oshkosh Public Museum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Edgar Sawyer House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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| Location | 1331 Algoma Boulevard Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 |
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| Built | 1908 |
| Architect | William Waters |
| Architectural style | Tudor Revival |
| Part of | Algoma Boulevard Historic District (ID94001368) |
| Added to NRHP | 1994 |
The Oshkosh Public Museum is a fun place to explore in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It's located inside a beautiful old building called the Edgar and Mary Jewell Sawyer House. This house is very important! It's part of the Algoma Boulevard Historic District and is even listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
History of the Sawyer House
Building a Grand Home
A wealthy lumber businessman named Edgar Sawyer built this amazing house in 1908. He wanted a bigger, more modern home. So, his old house on the same spot was taken down in 1907 to make way for this grand new mansion.
From Home to Museum
Sadly, Edgar and his wife Mary only lived in their new house for about a year. Mary passed away, and Edgar didn't live there all the time after that. In 1922, Edgar gave the house to the City of Oshkosh. Two years later, in 1924, it opened its doors as a museum for everyone to enjoy!
A Fire and Rebuilding
On June 2, 1994, a fire happened on the third floor of the museum. Some of the items on display were damaged. But the museum was repaired and continues to welcome visitors today.
What to See at the Museum
The Amazing Apostle's Clock
One of the coolest things at the museum is a special folk art clock called the Apostle's Clock. Every hour, music from an old Regina music box starts playing. Then, hand-carved figures of the Apostles begin to move. They circle around and bow to a figure of Jesus Christ. The last apostle, Judas Iscariot, carries a bag and turns away from Jesus. It's a really unique sight!
Inside the Beautiful Building
The inside of the museum is just as interesting as the exhibits. The famous company Tiffany Studios designed many parts of the building's interior. You can see several stunning stained glass windows and a fancy carved staircase. Different rooms show off art and tell stories about Oshkosh and the Lake Winnebago area. You'll find lots of old items and information about the region.
Exploring Oshkosh's Past
The museum also teaches about the people who came to Oshkosh from Eastern Europe. A section called "Memories & Dreams" covers the years from the 1830s to the 1920s. It even has a 1913 Harley Davidson motorcycle! In a room called "Grandma's Attic," visitors can touch and interact with historic items. There's also a model that shows what the city and its lumber yards looked like in the 1800s.
Images for kids
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The unique Apostle's Clock
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Sign showing the museum is a Registered Historic Place
