Mark your calendar for America’s annual celebration of boundless curiosity on Saturday, September 17, 2022 and be part of our national Museum Day event.

Museum Day is a one-day event in which participating museums and cultural institutions across the country provide free entry to anyone presenting a Museum Day ticket. Participants are allowed to download one ticket per email address. The ticket provides free general admission on Saturday, September 17, 2022, for two people.

Tickets available to public: 8/15/22
Museum registration closes: 9/16/22
Museum Day: 9/17/22

To receive free admission, you must visit the Smithsonian Magazine's website and enter your email address, name, state and select the Manitowoc County Historical Society as your museum of choice. You'll then receive an email from info@smithsonianmag.com with a link to your downloadable ticket immediately. Present that official Museum Day Live ticket at MCHS for free admission.

Doors will open for the movie night at 5:30 pm with coloring activities and family tree projects. The movie will begin at 6 pm.

Popcorn and refreshments will be for sale to support the Manitowoc County Historical Society's youth programs. There is no cost to attend the movie but donations are appreciated for the Society's Education Fund. 

There will be limited bench and chair seating inside the Nennig Dance Pavilion for the movie but we encourage guests to bring a blanket and pillow to enjoy the film from the Pavilion's center floor. 

Coco tells the story of Miguel, a young boy whose desire to discover and follow his great-great-grandfather’s legacy takes him on a colorful journey through the Land of the Dead. In this vibrant world, he meets many members of his family tree who long to return to the world of the living on Día de los Muertos (or Day of the Dead) to visit the loved ones they left behind. But here’s the catch—they can only do that if one of their living relatives still remembers them.

Just like Miguel’s ancestors, our own family members are counting on us to keep their memories alive. Preserving and sharing their pictures and stories can create a real-life bridge between us in the land of the living and our loved ones who have passed on. These memories enrich our family history, building a connection that goes beyond just a basic knowledge of dates and places.

Kids and adults are invited to play, create and investigate the mysteries of the world around them and explore Wisconsin through science, history and art at the Manitowoc County Historical Society’s Curiosity Fair. There is a wide variety of activities, demonstrations, and exhibits. 

Visitors will discover what living things are in their own backyard with Woodland Dunes, meet and greet reptiles, travel the museum grounds on a miniature train ride, and create a souvenir with Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum in the Pinecrest Print Shop. The day will also include a ride on a vintage bicycle with the Wisconsin Bike Federation, the opportunity to test drive a LEGO robot with Lakeshore FIRST Robotics, and creating a piggy bank with Verve, a Credit Union. Join local fire departments in bucket brigade contests and take part in a vintage base ball game.

Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for children (5-17), and free for children under the age of 5. MCHS members receive free admission.

The Curiosity Fair is made possible by Fox Communities Credit Union, Terp Family Insurance, and Verve, a Credit Union.

During our June Family Night we will have local fire departments participate in bucket brigade contests, and they will be recruiting our visitors to assist them!  Learn about the roles of fire departments throughout our history and meet members of our local departments. 

Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for children age 5 to 17, under age 5 is free.  MCHS Members are admitted free.

The 2017 Family Night Series is sponsored by Next Era Energy-Point Beach, Fox Communities Credit Union, The Shopko Foundation, and Country Visions.