History & Museums

Civil War Museum
5400 First Ave., Kenosha, 262-653-4141. www.thecivilwarmuseum.org. Open Sun.-Mon. 12 p.m.-5 p.m., Tues.-Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 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. Please note: all exhibits are not completed. Visit the museum's web site for updates.

Dinosaur Discovery Museum
5608 Tenth Ave., Kenosha, 262-653-4450, www.dinosaurdiscoverymuseum.org. Open Tues.-Sun. 12 p.m.-5 p.m. Discover the link between dinosaurs and modern day 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.

Durkee Mansion
6501-3rd Ave., Kenosha, 262-657-6005. www.kempercenter.com. Open for self tours March-October, Sat.-Sun. 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Located at Kemper Center, a 17.5-acre Kenosha County Park on Lake Michigan. Restored and furnished Victorian Mansion; the former home of Charles Durkee, the First U.S. Senator from the State of Wisconsin. SEE VIDEO

Kemper Center
6501-3rd Ave., Kenosha, 262-657-6005. www.kempercenter.com. 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. SEE VIDEO

Kenosha History Center
220-51st Place, Kenosha, 262-654-5770. www.kenoshahistorycenter.org. Tues.-Fri. 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. 12 p.m.-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.

Kenosha Public Library-Simmons
711-59th Place in Library Park, Kenosha, 262-564-6130. www.kenosha.lib.wi.us. Open Mon.-Thur. 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Fri. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.National Historic Register site opened in 1900. Designed by wellknown 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.

Kenosha Public Museum
5500 First Ave., Kenosha, 262-653-4140. www.kenoshapublicmuseum.org. Open Sun.-Mon. 12 p.m.-5 p.m., Tues.-Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Natural history, fine and decorative arts museum, offering classes, bus trips, special programs, events, and gift shop. SEE VIDEO

National Register Historic Districts
Third Avenue District, 63rd St. and 3rd Ave.; Civic Center District, 56th St. and Sheridan Road; Library Park District, 7th Ave. and 59th Place and Pearl Street District, 55th St.and 11th Ave. Click here for detailed walking tour guides of Kenosha’s National Register Historic Districts. SEE VIDEO

Lighthouses:

Pierhead Lighthouse
Simmons Island Public Beach, 50th St. and Lake Michigan, 262-654-7307. Lighthouse built in 1906. 50 feet tall.

Southport Light Station
Simmons Island Park, 50th St. and Lighthouse Drive (4th Ave.). www.kenoshahistorycenter.org. The historic lighthouse, built in 1866, is 55 feet tall. 2008 tours to the top are planned for every Sat.-Sun., 12 to 4 p.m., July-early October (weather dependent). Cost: $10 adult / $5 children 8-12 years old. Must be 8 or older to climb. Or call 262-654-5770 during the warm months to make other tour arrangements. Lighthouse mementos are sold in the Kenosha History Center gift shop next door.