Milwaukee landmarks open this weekend for Doors Open MKE
MILWAUKEE (WITI) — Mayor Tom Barrett and the Milwaukee Common Council invite the public to visit the several City of Milwaukee landmarks that will be open this weekend as part of the Doors Open Milwaukee event.
“I welcome everyone to take an ‘up close and personal’ look at the many City buildings and facilities featured on the Doors Milwaukee tour,” said Mayor Barrett. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the work our City staff does and how they do it, plus explore where they do it.”
The following City-owned buildings will be on the Doors Open Milwaukee tour:
Milwaukee City Hall: 200 E. Wells St.
Open Saturday & Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Visitors can take a guided tour of the bell tower rising nearly 400 feet above the street, plus see the beautiful Common Council chambers, in this 1895 iconic Milwaukee landmark.
Milwaukee Public Library’s Central Library: 814 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Open Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Take a tour of the magnificent rotunda dome, the green roof, the Old Board Room, the Rare Books Room, the Chinese room, and more!
Milwaukee Police Department Communications Center: 2333 N. 49th St.
Open Saturday & Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where do 911 calls go and how are they handled? Visitors will see the nerve center of the Milwaukee Police Department and learn how staff take these calls and route them for life-saving help.
Milwaukee Fire Department Engine House #1: 784 N. Broadway
Open Saturday & Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Take a tour of the oldest fire department companies in Milwaukee! Meet the firefighters currently serving here, and see historic photos of past crews and their equipment.
Milwaukee Fire Department Engine House #2: 755 N. James Lovell
Open Saturday & Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Visitors can take in a special Dive Team demonstration at 2:00 p.m., take tours of headquarters, and meet the firefighters and learn about their equipment.
Milwaukee River Bridge Houses:
See how a bridge works from the bridge operator’s perspective. There will be 2-3 openings per hour.
North Point Tower: 2288 N. Lake Dr. at E. North Ave.
Open Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Stand inside this 175-foot tower and learn about the 135-foot-tall iron standpipe that powered a steam engine to pump water from Lake Michigan for drinking and fire suppression.
Century City Business Park (formerly A.O. Smith/Tower Automotive): 2725 W. Hopkins
Open Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Visitors can see historical photos, maps and other materials from A.O. Smith’s innovative start, and learn how Century City is being positioned for future redevelopment.
Milwaukee Public Library – Villard Square branch: 5190 N. 35th St.
Open Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Take a self-guided tour of the library featuring public art commissioned to reflect the neighborhood and emphasizing the power of and need for public libraries.
Go to http://doorsopenmilwaukee.org/buildings/ for more detailed information on these sites and dozens more.