Doors Open Milwaukee is a two-day public celebration of Milwaukee’s art, architecture, culture and history. Tour 100+ sites throughout Milwaukee including skyscrapers, art galleries, community gardens, theaters and more—including several sites in the Valley!
Buildings open for tour in the Valley:
All Hands Boatworks
In the 1800s, Milwaukee was a hub of wooden boatbuilding, from rowing skiffs to cargo schooners. All Hands Boatworks is preserving that heritage through its youth and community boatbuilding projects at the Boatworks Shop.
621 S 12th St
Saturday 10 am - 4 pm | Sunday Not Open
Brief guided tours will be offered every half-hour. Learn more about a variety of current projects and about AHB’s youth development mission.
Plum Media
See how state-of-the-art media production facilities coexist with ornate chandeliers, vaulted ceilings and Neogothic flourishes.
1418 W Saint Paul Ave
Saturday Not Open | Sunday 10 am - 5 pm
Explore this 1929 building through a self-guided tour, historical photos, and augmented reality experiences. Plus, be the first to see footage from season 2 of John McGivern’s Main Streets, currently in production at Plum.
Designed by architect A. C. Runzler and built by Robert Reisinger Company, this Neogothic Revival building originally housed the showrooms of the Milwaukee Casket Company, which occupied several buildings on this block. Plum renovated the building, preserving original elements like chandeliers, terrazzo floors, and an impressive vault. The shiplap wall in the lobby was made from reclaimed floor molding, Cream City brick from a demolished outer building was incorporated into interior walls, and Mission-style balusters and railings adorn the staircases.
Today, the building houses a 1000-square-foot production studio, sound recording facilities, and staff offices. Plum Media produces impactful videos and live events for clients throughout Milwaukee and around the world, all from their home in the Menomonee River Valley.
Great Lakes Distillery
Founded in 2004, Great Lakes Distillery is the first distillery in Wisconsin since the repeal of Prohibition in 1933.
616 W Virginia St
Saturday 1pm - 5:30pm | Sunday 1pm - 5:30pm
Since inception, Great Lakes has been committed to producing quality spirits using time-tested fermentation, distillation, and maturation techniques while using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible to benefit the environment and economy of the state of Wisconsin. Great Lakes Distillery moved to its current location in 2008 after spending its first four years in the Riverwest neighborhood. Built in 1960, the building was originally home to Hypneumat, Inc., and became part of the buildings belonging to the Pfister & Vogel Tannery.
On Saturday, there will be 30-minute guided tours at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, 4:00, and 5:00 pm, and on Sunday, 30-minute guided tours are at 12:00, 2:00, and 4:00 pm. A guided tasting flight follows these tours for those who are interested, and costs $12 per person. Informal tours of the distillery’s production floor are available throughout both days from 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm. The distillery tasting room will be open for cocktails and retail bottle sales starting at 11:00 am each day.
Zimmerman Architectural Studios
The City Lights campus was originally home to the Milwaukee Gas Light Company’s West Side Works, which facilitated the coal gasification process that produced the gas that lit the street lamps throughout the City of Milwaukee. Visitors will experience guided tours to learn about the buildings rich history as a part of Milwaukee’s industrial landscape.
2122 W Mount Vernon Ave
Saturday 10 am - 5 pm | Sunday 10 am - 5 pm
The buildings were originally planned and designed more than a century ago by Alexander Eschweiler. This particular building was used for super heating of the coal in the absence of oxygen, known as the retort process, to yield the coal gas.
Over the years, the buildings were used as a truck terminal and warehouse space. The windows were bricked or boarded up and the entire building fell into disrepair.
In 2008, Zimmerman Architectural Studios brought light back into this historic building. Deliberate efforts were taken to preserve views of the light filled, cathedral-like shell as a backdrop reinforcing the concept of an integrated design firm under one roof. A whimsical two-story gasometer form defines the central gathering spaces and the renovated roof preserved all of the building’s original truss-work.
Today, building is home to Zimmerman Architectural Studios, Venture Architects, and Harwood Engineering Consultants and serves as a demonstration of the firms’ commitment to the city and to the profession. A creative energy now emanates from this historic energy plant.
Urban Ecology Center - Menomonee Valley
The Urban Ecology Center is committed to connecting people in cities to nature and each other.
3700 W Pierce Street
Saturday 10 am - 5 pm | Sunday Not Open
This green environmental community center was once a vacant tavern at 37th and Pierce. Designed by Uihlein Wilson Architects, the branch serves 22 south side schools through their Neighborhood Environmental Education Project. Like the Urban Ecology Center in in Riverside Park, the Menomonee Valley branch serves as a model of green building options. The Urban Ecology Center Menomonee Valley branch opened on September 8th, 2012 and measures 6,500 square feet.
Schedule of Doors Open activities:
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM: Animal Feeding
1:00 PM to 4:00 PM Menominee Valley Young Scientist Club
Other activities throughout the day will include: Self guide tours; Free coffee; Local art gallery; Play area for children; Volunteers opportunities; Sensory kit of the building for visually impaired.
Special Tours in the Valley
From Drag Racing to Design District
Starting location: 1101 W St. Paul Ave
Tour time: 10 AM, 12PM
When Sobelman’s Pub & Grill opened in 2000, there wasn’t a lot of action on the street apart from cars showing up on a quiet corridor for drag racing. Today there are a dozen locally-owned businesses that are part of the growing St. Paul Avenue Design District. With more than 20 historic industrial buildings on the street, W St. Paul Ave has a rich collection of buildings that haven't changed much over time, but their uses have. Join us to stroll through the street’s history, visit a couple of the businesses, and hear how this street transformed over the last 100 years or so.
It’s also Valley Week!
This event is part of 2022 Valley Week, presented by Potawatomi Hotel & Casino. Valley Week is an annual event that invites you to explore and experience Milwaukee's Menomonee River Valley!
You are invited to explore and experience the Valley at more than a dozen events in just one week. Including a happy hour river cruise, hard-hat tour, outdoor movie, kayak tour, and so much more, Valley Week showcases some must-do unique Valley experiences!
Proceeds from the events support Menomonee Valley Partners, a nonprofit organization formed in 1999 to revitalize the Menomonee River Valley.
