This month, we take a closer look at some of the various contributions women have made throughout history to both science and culture.
Explore our resources below, plus additional programming!
At the Museum
VISITOR ENGAGEMENTS
Educators will be available for interactive programming Thursdays and Fridays in March from 10:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
Mary Anning: Fossil Hunter
Learn about the life and work of Mary Anning, one of the world’s first paleontologists.
MUSEUM TOURS
Saturdays throughout March at 11:00 a.m. Capacity is 25 visitors; reservations onsite or by calling 414-278-2728 are strongly recommended.
March 1 - March 15: Women Artisans of Africa
Learn about the amazing variety of crafts done by women throughout Africa, and how they keep their culture flourishing.
March 16 - March 31: Women of Milwaukee
Learn about the remarkable women that helped shape Milwaukee’s history.
At Home
Can't make it to MPM? Missed us on the floors? Watch our video instead!
March is Women’s History Month, and the Milwaukee Public Museum is highlighting some of the astonishing contributions women have made to science throughout history. This video introduces one of the first, and most important, paleontologists.
FAMILY ACTIVITIES
Women of MPM
Many of the women who work at MPM are trailblazers in their fields. Watch our videos highlighting their careers and work that have helped shape the Museum through the years and continue to inspire us today.
MPM Women's History Month 2023: Meet Kathy Tate, Visitor Services Representative
MPM Women's History Month 2023: Meet Dawn Koceja, Community Engagement & Advocacy Officer
MPM Women's History Month 2023: Meet Nancy Kruschke, Exhibit Artist
MPM Women's History Month 2023: Meet Billie Harrison, Puelicher Butterfly Wing Technician
MPM Women's History Month 2023: Meet Dawn Scher Thomae, Curator of Anthropology
Patty
MPM Curator of Geology Collections and Senior Collection Manager Patricia Coorough Burke shares her research about the upper Midwest during the Silurian Period, the richness and diversity of life during this time, and how MPM’s fossil collections help researchers analyze how life has changed over time.
After watching this episode of MPM Untold, keep learning with the Virtual Silurian Reef, a joint project between the Milwaukee Public Museum and the Chicago Field Museum.
Did you know that Milwaukee used to be underwater? It’s true! It also used to be on the equator. During the Silurian Period of the Earth’s history about 425 million years ago, much of North America was covered by a shallow, tropical sea. Reefs flourished with corals, crinoids, brachiopods, and many other plant and animal species. Here’s the best part: You can still see the Silurian Reef today, and it’s a lot closer than you might realize. Print out our Silurian Reef fossil identification guide and Silurian Reef locations, and head outdoors to explore the Silurian Reef in southeastern Wisconsin.
Julia
Zoology Collections Manager Julia Colby provides information about a bird we’ve probably all seen and heard: the red-winged blackbird. Watch the video to learn more not only about this familiar piece of our local web of life, but how scientists use MPM’s Zoology collections and data to learn about animals like the blackbird.
Working at a museum or studying museum collections aren’t the only ways to be a scientist! Use this handy guide to find lots of different ways you and your family can get involved in scientifically studying - and protecting - the natural world.
Sara
Registrar and Head of Photography Archives Sara Podejko gives a behind-the-scenes look at how museums like MPM support scientific research and learning around the world through the careful work of lending MPM artifacts and specimens to other museums.
Registrars often perform conservation activities on museum collections, highly scientific work that analyzes an object’s physical properties to figure out the best way to keep it safe long-term. Try your hand at some conservation work by making a plant press to preserve plant specimens.
MPL Booklist
Want to learn more about this month's theme? Milwaukee Public Library has put together a list of recommended reading for both children and adults!