Oshkosh is home to numerous museums. Visitors can easily spend a day or a whole weekend visiting museums. Everyone has a different reason for visiting a museum, and no matter your interest, one of these museums in Oshkosh will have something you like. What’s even better; two of these museums are next-door neighbors! The Oshkosh Public Museum and the Paine Art Center and Gardens are both conveniently located on Algoma Blvd. Read more about these great museums.
Oshkosh Public Museum
The Oshkosh Public Museum is located inside the historic Sawyer family home, which was converted into a public museum in 1924. Edgar Sawyer, a lumbar baron, built the mansion on his property after demolishing the previous home on location. They have hosted featured exhibitions like “The Nostalgia Awakens” and “Titanic: The Wisconsin Connection,” and also have permanent exhibits dedicated to the history of Oshkosh and the Lake Winnebago region. Fun fact: it’s also the second oldest public museum in Wisconsin! The "Titanic: The Wisconsin Connection" runs through October 13.
Hours
Tuesday-Saturday: 10am-4:30pm
Sunday: 1pm-4:30pm
Address
1331 Algoma Blvd
Oshkosh, WI 54901
Take time to smell the roses, and all the other greenery around the Paine Art Center. The Paine originally was created as an estate for Nathan and Jessie Kimberly Paine, but was later converted into the Paine we know today for everyone to enjoy. You can tour twenty different gardens on the grounds of the Paine, as well as tour the inside of the mansion. The mansion features permanent installations of how the estate would be decorated to fit the taste of the Paines, and a featured exhibition like “The Other Side” or their annual “Nutcracker in the Castle.”
The current exhibition, “Walk This Way: Footwear from the Stuart Weitzman Collection of Historic Shoes” highlights more than 100 pairs of shoes from the iconic designer’s extensive private collection. Organized by the New-York Historical Society, the exhibition shows how shoes have transcended their utilitarian purpose to become objects of design, desire, and meaning. "Walk this Way" runs through October 10. While you are here, you must partake in the "Curious Case of the Missing Left Shoes!" Two dozen shoes in a variety of styles, colors, and sizes have appeared on the Studio stage at the Paine. Curiously, they’re all right shoes. Why are they there? And, where are the matching left shoes? Come and search for the missing shoes throughout the mansion and gardens. Along the way, you’ll learn the story behind the shoes and help to solve a mystery!
Hours
Monday-Sunday
10am-4pm
Address
1410 Algoma Blvd
Oshkosh, WI 54901
Visit Two Museums on the Same Day
If you’re planning to visit these museums on the same day, we suggest picking a day besides Monday, since the Oshkosh Public Museum is closed on Mondays. Algoma Blvd. is a one-way street, with the Oshkosh Public Museum on the left, and the Paine Art Center on the right. It might make sense for you to visit the Public Museum first and then visit the Paine so you’re not backtracking. If you want to visit the museums during the holiday season, there will be two Christmas-related exhibits: “White Christmas: The Exhibition” will be at the Oshkosh Public Museum, and the Paine’s annual “Nutcracker in the Castle” exhibit.
If you visit both museums, be sure to Tag Discover Oshkosh on Facebook and Instagram for a chance to be featured!
Stay the night in Oshkosh—click here for overnight options!
