Mineral Point Museum Night

press release: Nine local museums and historic sites are opening their doors to the public and waiving any admission fees for the fourth annual Museum Night at 5-8 p.m. Thursday, June 16.

Museum Night was created as an opportunity to showcase Mineral Point’s historic sites to the local community in hopes that they would become familiar with the locations and recommend them to visitors all year long. It is also a way for the historic tourist sites to give back to the Mineral Point community by offering free admission to the sites in their hometown.

Many of the sites have something new to feature this year, so past participants will find plenty to pique their interests again. Participating locations include:

● Brewery Pottery, 276 Shake Rag St.

● Mineral Point Chamber of Commerce, 145 High St.

● Mineral Point Historical Society & Orchard Lawn, 234 Madison St.

● Mineral Point Library Archives and the Mineral Point Public Library, 137 High St.

● Mineral Point Opera House, 139 High St.

● Mineral Point Railroad Society, 11 Commerce St.

● Pendarvis Historic Site, 114 Shake Rag St.

● Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts, 18 Shake Rag St.

● Wisconsin Odd Fellows and Rebekahs Museum, 112 Front St.

Brewery Pottery, 276 Shake Rag St., invites visitors into the old Mineral Spring Brewery at the far end of Shake Rag Street. Brewery Pottery will be showcasing the newly updated Brewery History Museum, giving tours of the first floor, and talking to visitors about the history of the building with a focus on 1850-1961 when the building was an active brewery. Visitors will be given a complimentary Mineral Point ceramic ornament as a souvenir from their Museum Night 2022 experience. Face coverings will be required indoors. All ages are welcome. For more information, call (608) 987-3669, email info@brewerypottery.com or visit brewerypottery.com.

In 2019, the Mineral Point Chamber of Commerce relocated to 145 High St., the former home of Hook & Ladder Company No. 1, the city’s first fire department formed in 1898. Come enjoy a glass of wine in this impeccably restored building in the heart of downtown, view the historic fire ladder wagon and clay miner figurines that are on display, and pick up information on local businesses and things to do in Mineral Point this summer. For more information, call (608) 987-3201 or see www.mineralpoint.com or Facebook.

The Mineral Point Historical Society manages the Gundry House on Orchard Lawn at 234 Madison St. You’re invited to bring a picnic to enjoy on the lawn while the Mineral Point City Band performs a concert of Cornish and British concert band music, beginning at 6 p.m. Also check out the first floor of the Gundry House, which has been restored to the time period when the Gundry family inhabited the house. The gift shop will also be open that evening. For more information, see mineralpointhistory.org or Facebook.

The Mineral Point Library Archives and the Mineral Point Public Library are located at 137 High Street. The Archives will display some of the documents, maps and photographs that tell the story of Mineral Point from the 1840s until today. The Mineral Point Public Library has acquired an exemplary collection of art by Mineral Point artists. Displayed on all three floors of the Library are 70 + works by over 30 artists making the collection a real Museum of Mineral Point Art. Guides will be available throughout the building. For more information, call (608) 987-2447 or visit mineralpointlibraryarchives.org.

Located at 139 High St., the Mineral Point Opera House, dedicated in 1915, continues to serve the community’s vibrant art scene. Staff will be on hand to give tours of the historic theater. Enjoy free popcorn, purchase your favorite snacks from the concession stand, and enter for a chance to win a free private movie viewing party. Check out upcoming events and more at https://mineralpointoperahouse.org.

The Mineral Point Railroad Society manages the restored 1856 Railroad Depot Museum at 11 Commerce St. Take advantage of this evening opportunity to walk through the oldest depot in Wisconsin, which was reopened to the public in 2004 after significant restoration. Inside the museum are many exhibits including a 1915-era scale model of the area around the depot, a turntable and two enginehouses (upstairs) and a telegrapher’s office (downstairs). For more information, call (608) 987-2695 or see www.mprs.org.

The picturesque cluster of stone buildings that make up Pendarvis Historic Site today were originally constructed by Cornish immigrants in the early 1800s. They were preserved through the efforts of life and business partners Bob Neal and Edgar Hellum. Guides will be available throughout all the buildings to share stories and answer questions. Pendarvis will also host a book signing with Jenny Kalvaitis and Kristin Whiston, authors of “We Will Always Be Here: A Guide to Exploring and Understanding the History of LGBTQ+ Activism in Wisconsin." For more information, call (608) 987-2122 or visit https://pendarvis.wisconsinhistory.org.

Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts, 18 Shake Rag St., invites visitors to tour its collection of historic and reproduction buildings and, for a free-will donation, enjoy a piece of pie in honor of Roland Sardeson Day, which coincides with the Summer Solstice. Staff and volunteers will be on hand to answer questions about the buildings representing Mineral Point architecture from the 1830s through 1940s that today host arts and crafts workshops for adults and youth, events, site rentals and guest lodging. For more information, call (608) 987-3292 or see www.ShakeRagAlley.org.

The Wisconsin Odd Fellows and Rebekahs Museum, 112 Front St., will be open for all to view items of the organization’s Cornish roots, storied past and history of assistance provided to the working class. Learn about the Odd Fellows’ and Rebekahs’ involvement in issues today. They will also hold a brat sale fundraiser including brats, chips and beverage.

Many of these museums and historic locations operate on donations. Please consider making a contribution during your visit. For details about the event, please contact the Mineral Point Chamber of Commerce at (608) 987-3201 or info@mineralpoint.com.