Entry No. 4 — the Milwaukee file — filed under: oddities

Milwaukee Public Museum (Carl Akeley Taxidermy Collection)

This historic museum is the birthplace of modern taxidermy, where Carl Akeley revolutionized display techniques in 1890 by creating the world's first habitat diorama cutaway of a muskrat den. Visitors can explore historic cabinets of curiosities, taxidermied Samson the gorilla, and 3,000-year-old Egyptian mummies.

The move: Seek out Akeley's original 1890 muskrat den diorama hidden behind the first-floor curio cabinets, then examine the ancient Egyptian mummy displays on the third floor.

• 📍 Downtown
• 💸 $$
• ⚡ Up for anything
• 🌗 Indoors

Where: 800 W Wells St, Milwaukee, WI 53233

Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.

⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: mpm.edu · jsonline.com · wisconsinfrights.com

last checked: 2026-07-21