Oshkosh Public Museum

Oshkosh Public Museum

Oshkosh Public Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
Closed
About
OPM preserves and promotes the history, art, and culture of Oshkosh and the Lake Winnebago Region. Since 1924, OPM has shared stories of our past to inform our present and create a stronger future for the community. The cornerstone of OPM is the 1908 Historic Sawyer Home: the last original Tiffany Studios commission that is open to the public worldwide. Our galleries feature contemporary Native American art, immersive local history and culture exhibits, and original Tiffany stained-glass windows.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles101 reviews
Excellent
58
Very good
38
Average
4
Poor
1
Terrible
0

Ellen B
Hortonville, WI1,419 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2023 • Couples
This is a great museum. It’s across the street from the Paine, so was super easy to get to after viewing the Nutcracker exhibit. It’s in the beautiful Sawyer Family Victorian mansion. One fun activity is spying all of the Tiffany design elements in the mansion.

There’s a comprehensive exhibit of Native American artifacts, including many spearheads, axe heads, arrow tips, clay pots, and other items. There’s also a simulated dig site, a birch lodge, and a birchbark canoe. The signs give a great overview of Native American civilization over the millennia right here in Wisconsin.

We stuck around to watch the Apostle clock chime the hour. What a fascinating piece of craftsmanship, I definitely recommend seeing it. Another fun thing to do is check out Grannie’s attic, a fun hodge-podge of old treasures that’s sure to bring back memories.
Written January 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
So glad you enjoyed your visit! Thanks for your review and feedback.
Written March 1, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

photoguywisconsin
Oshkosh, WI951 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2024 • Couples
A good local museum. Some of the traveling exhibits that come here are very good. It costs something like 8$ for entry. However, I don’t feel that it’s a museum that I would travel long distances to visit. If you’re a local resident, it’s a good place to visit.
Written January 23, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Diane D
Springfield, IL19 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
Fantastic little museum. Just loved it! Great interactive displays and friendly staff. The most beautiful Tiffany windows I've ever seen. Definitely worth a visit if you're in Oshkosh.
Written September 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your visit and review! Glad to hear you enjoyed your time and seeing the Tiffany Studios windows.
Written September 5, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

M_Smith17
Wood River, IL121 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2021
Geeked out a little, showed up the last day of the Star Wars Toys exhibit. There was so much other cool stuff to see here, especially things native to the area. We enjoyed the whole experience. Everyone in the family enjoyed it.
Written June 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your visit and review! So glad everyone enjoyed their time.
Written March 1, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

DonnieOshkosh
Milwaukie, OR1,484 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2015 • Friends
My wife and I, along with our friends Dan and Nancy, visited the Oshkosh Public Museum Feb. 28 for the opening of the LEGO exhibit- ‘The Art of the Brick’ by Nathan Sawaya. The exhibit must include at least 25 pieces [my estimate] - many “life size”. It was amazing- just fabulous. I can’t recommend it highly enough. You could see and hear the wonder and delight that everyone was feeling- young kids through older adults [like me] - as they walked through the exhibit. My wife got choked with emotion at one of the pieces- and it’s made from “plastic bricks”! The exhibit will be at the Oshkosh Public Museum through June 14. Check out their website for more information
We came around mid-day and there was quite a line waiting to get in- and the line to get in was much longer by the time we left- in spite of the single digit temperatures- so be prepared to wait a bit when you come. There is a fee to get into the museum but it seemed quite reasonable to me [we’re members so our entrance fee was waived].
We spent a little time afterwards touring some of the other parts of the museum but ‘The Art of the Brick’ was our primary reason for visiting the museum- and we then left for lunch. My wife and I are already planning on coming back for one more look before the show leaves Oshkosh.
Written March 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Scott D
16 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2019 • Couples
Oskosh’s Museum is a special place starting with its prominent location nestled into a historical neighborhood, the building itself and then the many ways that the city’s history is depicted. It’s a look back in time that tells the rich history of Oshkosh. Cool part is, many of the displays are freshed with many special events and displays making returns to the museum well worth it. For many the apostles clock is number one on their list. Well worth your time.
Written March 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Aardvarktrail
Omro, WI103 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2015 • Couples
I always loved this museum. When I was young it had a fantastic bird collection that is now gone possibly due to diseases. Public Museums should be free of charge to visit. I don't like it that they now charge admission.
Written June 26, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cari K
Pocahontas, AR47 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2019 • Solo
If you haven't been to the Public Museum in the last couple of years, you need to return. You'll be greeted at the door by a new exhibit called "People of the Waters." It's a beautifully done interactive presentation of First American life. My favorite part was the Trader Game--ya gotta be quick and take some chances!
The Museum is housed in a gorgeous mansion built in 1907. It's in a neighborhood of similar houses. A second museum, The Paine, is in another such house across the street from the Public Museum. The grounds are well kept and have a few exhibits outside. There are benches where you can just relax and take in the beauty.
Inside the building the exhibits occupy 2 stories. These depict life from the early 1800s to the mid 20th century. Of those, my favorite was the Apostle Clock. This is an enormous grandfather clock that plays a tune--sounds like a giant music box--and the Twelve Apostles walk around and greet Jesus. This happens at the top of the hour.
I paid $6 senior rate. It's well worth it. Parking is free.
Written August 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

pstephen2000
Oshkosh, WI11 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2018 • Family
Oshkosh is lucky to have such a fine museum and knowledgeable staff. The building itself is beautiful, and I have not gone to a showing that I did not enjoy. The Native American show was maybe my favorite.
Written October 12, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

JoyeMoon
Oshkosh, WI36 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2016 • Couples
Check out the Oshkosh Public Museum! Housed in a lumber barren's home the woodwork alone is a marvel. The exhibits are always top notch as well and the history of Oshkosh and the Fox River Valley is stellar!
Written July 5, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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