History & Museums

Civil War Museum

Open Sun.-Mon. 12-5 p.m., Tues.-Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Mondays September-February. Learn about the history, the people and the stories of the Upper Middle West before, during and after the Civil War. Changing exhibits, programs and gift shop. Nominal admission fee.

Dinosaur Discovery Museum

Open Tues.-Sun. 12-5 p.m. Discover the link between meat-eating dinosaurs and birds. Featuring dramatic life-size dinosaur replica casts, bones and fossils, interactive exhibits, family programs, a real working on-site paleontology lab, and a gift shop. Free admission.

Durkee Mansion

Part of Kemper Center. Open for self tours April-October, Sat.-Sun. 1-4 p.m. or by appointment. The 1860s await you in great splendor and elegance in this lovingly restored Victorian mansion along the shores of Lake Michigan. Stroll through the halls of this magnificent home of Charles Durkee, Wisconsin's Civil War era Senator. Free admission; donations gratefully accepted.

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Kemper Center

Office open Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tours by appointment. 17.5-acre Kenosha County Park on Lake Michigan. Includes historic Gothic Chapel, restored Victorian Mansion, St. Mary's Convent, Kemper Hall Campus, Anderson Arts Center and renovated Conference Center. Chapel and rooms available for weddings, receptions, meetings and other events.

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Kenosha History Center

Open Tues.-Fri. 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. 12-4 p.m. Museum on Kenosha's harbor features the Yesteryear Gallery, the Rambler Legacy Gallery with changing Kenosha automobile exhibits, the adjacent Southport Light Station, and a gift shop with lighthouse and other mementos.

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Kenosha Public Library-Simmons

Located in In Library Park, this National Historic Register site opened in 1900. Designed by well-known Chicago architect Daniel Burnham and donated by Industrialist Zalmon Simmons in memory of his son Gilbert. This neo-classical building is solidly constructed of Bedford limestone. Call or go online for hours open.

Kenosha Public Museum

Open Sun.-Mon. 12-5 p.m., Tues.-Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Mondays September-February. Natural history, fine and decorative arts museum, offering classes, bus trips, special programs, events, and gift shop. Free admission.

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National Register Historic Districts

Third Avenue District, 63rd Street and 3rd Avenue; Civic Center District, 56th Street and Sheridan Road; Library Park District, 7th Avenue and 59th Place and Pearl Street District, 55th Street and 11th Avenue. Call or visit the link below for detailed walking tour guides.

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Pierhead Lighthouse

Located at Simmons Island Public Beach, 50th St. and Lake Michigan. Lighthouse built in 1906. 50 feet tall.

Southport Light Station Museum

Located at Simmons Island Park, 50th Street and Lighthouse Drive (4th Avenue). Open May 15-Oct. 31: Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. 12-4 p.m. Climb to the top of this 55-foot tall, 1866 lighthouse. Tour the restored keeper's house featuring the maritime history of Kenosha County, including the lives of the lighthouse keepers. View historic harbor maps, an authentic Fresnel lens (the light that formerly lit lighthouses), and learn about Kenosha's harbor history. The first floor of the building has been restored to a 1907-08 time period, complete with historic paint colors and a period kitchen. Lighthouse climb costs $10 adults / $5 children 8-12 years old. (Must be 8 or older to climb.)

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