Museums offer memorable spaces for your next event

By Mary Bergin | Photo Credit: Milwaukee Art Museum

Museums do more than preserve the past: They add depth to the present. And many of Wisconsin’s unique museums offers event space for private tours and events, which turn business as usual into one-of-a-kind experiences. Count these Wisconsin museums among those that provide unique settings for business breaks or inspiration.

EAA, OSHKOSH

The summer Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention in Oshkosh is a global point of pilgrimage for aviation enthusiasts, but these 1,600 acres accommodate an array of groups during other times of year.

The dozen types of rental spaces range from intimate boardroom (with fireplace) to airplane hangar (with World War II artifacts). “There aren’t many places in Wisconsin that have the infrastructure that we have,” says Dick Knapinski, communications director.

Seating 1,000 in an airplane hangar was no problem for an Oshkosh Women’s Fund luncheon. The 2016 Wisconsin Public Service Farm Show covered much more of the grounds.

For smaller groups, a ropes course assists with team building. An 88-seat chapel (with airplane designs in stained glass) induces reflection. An onsite lodge sleeps 60 in bunks, similar to a dormitory or ski chalet.

The aviation setting “gives you a great ambiance for a function,” says Caitlin Bruer, events coordinator. Arrange a ride in vintage aircraft, scavenger hunt, class to build a small wooden plane or device to help a raw egg break a fall.

Newer, featured exhibits include nose art from World War II combat aircraft and a look at the war’s 345th BG Air Apaches bombing group. eaa.org/airventure

BERGSTROM-MAHLER MUSEUM OF GLASS, NEENAH

The Tudor mansion overlooking Lake Winnebago is home to a storied collection of stunning glass, antique paperweights, Germanic drinking glasses and contemporary glass sculpture. The creative setting offers an inspiring venue for small groups. The Mabel R. McClanahan Memorial Study Gallery, accommodating up to 20, is a unique room anchored by a colorful glass and mixed media wall mural. The 20-foot-long conference table was designed to feature 14 lighted compartments, visible from the top of the table, that hold paperweights.

The glass art repository offers a 10-person classroom for team building exercises in glass bending and fusing. Simple pendants or sun catchers are created in less than three hours.

Add a private tour of the museum’s vast collections to complete your group’s experience.

Exhibits: Occasional special exhibits about art made with glass complement the museum’s permanent collection. bmmglass.com

CHIPPEWA VALLEY MUSEUM, EAU CLAIRE

Meeting areas seat up to 90 at this regional history museum in Carson Park, which has a 1950s-style ice cream parlor for treats during workshop breaks. Scavenger hunts are arranged, and groups have access to 12,000 square feet of interactive exhibits about farm life to Ojibwe beadwork. cvmuseum.com

HARLEY-DAVIDSON MUSEUM, MILWAUKEE

The motorcycle manufacturer presents its engines and bikes as though they were artwork, and fans from all walks of life come to the 20-acre campus. Clients include meeting planners for Fortune 500 companies to small business owners at work with investors. When food/beverage minimums are met, guests get complimentary museum access.

Black-tie fundraisers, tattoo conventions, board meetings and company picnics are possible. The National Guard Association of the United States brought 3,000 guests for a conference, meals and entertainment. Some participated in an arranged motorcycle ride during the same weekend.

LEIGH YAWKEY WOODSON ART MUSEUM, WAUSAU

Events are arranged indoors and out at the four-acre estate whose exquisite wildlife art pays special attention to birds. Art making, scavenger hunts and other activities happen as social and corporate team-building exercises. Requests are reviewed on a caseby-case basis and are subject to schedules and availability.

The Woodson began in a donated English Tudor house and then expanded, most recently with a 9,000-square-foot addition in 2012. Outdoors is a popular sculpture garden. lywam.org

MADISON CHILDREN’S MUSEUM, MADISON

“Adult swim” is code for times when the three-floor educational play haven is temporarily turned over to just adults. Live chickens and carrier pigeons live on the lush and artful rooftop, with views of the state Capitol and Lake Mendota. Zendesk, an international software developer, used the pigeons to help introduce a new foundation to help area nonprofits.

Indoors is a “gerbil wheel” for humans and other unique diversions. Meeting rooms accommodate up to 70, although up to 600 attend receptions that incorporate all levels of the museum. madisonchildrensmuseum.org

MADISON MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART, MADISON

A stylish lobby with a sleek glass staircase that leads to sweeping views of State Street sets a tone of sophistication for any event in this building, designed by Cesar Pelli and connected to Overture Center for the Arts. In warm weather, a popular spot for cocktail receptions and networking is the rooftop sculpture garden. A lecture hall seats 230 for lectures to film screenings.

Raven Software, celebrating its 25th anniversary, threw a black-tie celebration in the art museum’s lobby, restaurant (Fresco) and sculpture garden. It involved multiple bars, chef stations and video presentations for 300-plus guests.

MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM, MILWAUKEE

The newly renovated facility, which faces Lake Michigan, hosts breakfasts for 10 to afterhours receptions for 1,000. Corporate dinners with live auctions, “American Idol” casting calls and outdoor terrace events for hundreds happen in the museum’s 1957 War Memorial Center to 2001 iconic wingspread addition by Santiago Calatrava.

Chef Jason Gorman offers in-house catering with linens and china. Almost 100 underground and heated parking spots are available for after-hours events. mam.org

MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM, MILWAUKEE

Groups of 10 to 3,500 roam the natural and human history museum on their own or with a docent. After-hour bookings include the recently revamped and expansive “Streets of Old Milwaukee,” a turn-of-the-century European-influenced village.

Expect great variety in the 80,000 square feet of event space available. The six-story Dome Theater seats up to 260 for presentations, planetarium talks or theatrical shows. Staff can match their expertise with your interests for customized tours or activities. mpm.edu