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Located at 800 West Wells Street in downtown Milwaukee, WI.
What can be more exciting than to have a butterfly exhibit open in one's
own hometown? Milwaukee's Public Museum has done just that with "Butterflies
Alive." Currently a temporary exhibit, it will be open until January 2,
2000. The museum is undergoing construction of a permanent butterfly exhibit
that is scheduled for a late spring opening in 2000. The new exhibit will
feature a 2,000 square foot garden.
The museum's current exhibit is very unique since the butterflies do not
receive any natural sunlight. Located inside the museum on its second floor,
the butterflies receive light from special lighting inside a 1,000 square foot
garden.
Featured are 25 species of live butterflies native to Wisconsin and the
rest of North America. Some of the species are: Malachites, Julias, Queens,
Gulf Fritillaries, Ruddy Dangerwings and many more. Visitors may also observe
the butterflies emerging in the transformation stations. Outside the garden are
panels of specimens of butterflies and moths from the museum's world-renowned
collections.
Brochures advise one to wear bright clothing, speak in whispers and to
stand very still. This causes many butterflies to land on the visitors much to
their delight, creating a magical atmosphere.
There are eight education stations surrounding the outside of the garden
filled with colorful graphics with easy-to-read interpretive panels. Activities
are provided for the kids to enjoy that include art projects, storytelling and
puppet shows.
The butterflies are only one small part of the museum's collections.
Another exhibit is a re-creation of a rain forest along with many other
exhibits.
Located in the same building are the Humphrey IMAX Dome Theater and The
James Lovell Museum of Science, Economics and Technology, INC.
Open daily from 9am-5pm. Closed on July 4th, Thanksgiving Day and
Christmas Day. Admission to the museum and butterfly exhibit is $5.50 for
adults, $4.50 for seniors and $3.50 for students (ages 4-17).
More information is available on their website at:
http://www.mpm.edu
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