Sheboygan County Museum

Wisconsin's First Geocache: Community Celebration Event
2025-06-21 12:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago)
Free at the Sheboygan County Museum
– Community Celebration– Orienteering Adventure Course– Geocaching 101 Workshop, 12:30pm – 1:30pm– Baseball card craft to celebrate the first swag in the geocache– See a display of geocaching history– Ask A Geocacher Q & A, 2:00pm – 4:00pm

Free at James Tellen Sculpture Garden
– Tour the property– Find “First Down Wisconsin,” the geocache that pays homage to the very first one placed in the state– Talk to a docent from the John Michael Kohler Art Center, the museum that stewards the property– Check out the zine created by artist Sarah Luther about this folk art location

Schedule
10:00am – 3:00pm– Museum Scavenger Hunt (indoors)– Regular Museum Admission
10:30am – 11:30am– Orienteering Adventure Workshop– Pre-registration required
12:00pm – 5:00pm– Wisconsin’s First Geocache: Community Celebration Event– Free

Celebrate
25 years ago, the first geocache in the state of Wisconsin was placed in the Black River Area of Sheboygan. Celebrate this adventurous moment in history with the Sheboygan County Museum.

Orienteering Adventure Workshop
2025-06-21 10:30 - 11:30 | Sheboygan County Museum, 3110 Erie Avenue, Sheboygan, WI, 53081, United States
Experience the sport of orienteering using a map and compass to find checkpoints throughout the Museum campus and Taylor Park. Led by Tom Southworth of Badger Orienteering Club, get empowered to play with the world around you.

Tickets
General Admission – $10/ person
Member Admission – $5/ person
All sales final.

Purchase Now

Show & Tell: This Object Changed Me
2025-06-17 13:30 - 14:30
Sheboygan County Museum and libraries across the county host an hour-long show and tell for adults at the library.

Bring an object from home that expresses something about you.
Tell your story
Discuss others’ stories
Get a guide to help you document that story

Preliminary Schedule

6/10 @ 1:30pm, Elkhart Lake Public Library, Elkhart Lake
6/17 @ 1:30pm, Cedar Grove Public Library, Cedar Grove
6/24 @ 9:30am, Oostburg Public Library, Oostburg
7/1 @ 9:30am, Mead Public Library, Sheboygan
7/8 @ 1:30pm, Plymouth Public Library, Plymouth
7/15 @ 1:30pm, Lakeview Community Library, Random Lake
7/29 @ 1:30 pm, Kohler Public Library, Kohler

Pre-registration is encouraged but not required, and the program is free.

Pre-Register Now

Show & Tell: This Object Changed Me
2025-06-10 13:30 - 14:30
Sheboygan County Museum and libraries across the county host an hour long show and tell for adults at the library.

Bring an object from home that expresses something about you.
Tell your story
Discuss others’ stories
Get a guide to help you document that story

Preliminary Schedule

6/10 @ 1:30pm, Elkhart Lake Public Library, Elkhart Lake
6/17 @ 1:30pm, Cedar Grove Public Library, Cedar Grove
6/24 @ 9:30am, Oostburg Public Library, Oostburg
7/1 @ 9:30am, Mead Public Library, Sheboygan
7/8 @ 1:30pm, Plymouth Public Library, Plymouth
7/15 @ 1:30pm, Lakeview Community Library, Random Lake
7/29 @ 1:30 pm, Kohler Public Library, Kohler

Pre-registration is encouraged but not required, and the program is free.

Pre-register now

Spring Speaker Series
2025-06-03 18:00 - 19:30
Pre-Registration Encouraged

Presenters explore the impact of Sheboygan County’s watershed and how it continues to form who we are. Join us the first Tuesdays of spring, March-June.
Tuesday June 3, 6:00 pm–7:30 pmThe Business of Water Stewardship At the center of all business lies profound shared resources. Part of the mission of many companies includes intercultural and international efforts to keep resources like water healthy. Learn about how Kohler Co. stewards watersheds from Sheboygan County to locations worldwide with the company’s Enterprise Program Manager of Water Samantha McClelland.
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Tuesday March 4, 6:00 pm–7:30 pmHistory of Sheboygan Surf, Larry WilliamsGiant waves on Sheboygan’s coast of Lake Michigan have given way to cultural and recreational moments including the identity of “Malibu of the Midwest.” Sheboygan’s unique surf has permeated blockbuster movies, progressed wetsuit technology, and required innovations for ice-encrusted forecasts as told by co-founder of the Dairyland Surf Classic, Larry Williams.
Tuesday April 1, 6:00 pm–7:30 pmSheboygan County’s Ice Age Story, David MickelsonThe Laurentide Ice Sheet went wild in Sheboygan County 100,000 years ago and left us with a landscape that defines our work, our play, our wildlife, and our beloved Ice Age Trail. UW–Madison provides a Badger Talk with Senior Scientist David Mickelson to unpack the erratics.
Tuesday May 6, 6:00 pm–7:30 pmAn Underwater Museum: The Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast, Russ GreenThe power of nature rules in the recent NOAA designation of coastline from Kewaunee County to Port Washington as a National Marine Sanctuary housing 36 known shipwrecks, ways to explore them, and coordination to protect their history. NOAA’s Director of the Great Lakes National Marine Sanctuary Russ Green lets us dive deeper than we ever could before.

Bike Expo
2025-05-31 09:00 - 12:00 | Sheboygan County Museum, 3110 Erie Avenue, Sheboygan, WI, 53081, United States
See You at the Bike Expo
Join in the festivities of Bike & Walk to Work Week and check out Sheboygan County Museum’s Garton Toy Pedal Cars.
Uptown ParkletN. 8th Street & St. Clair AvenueSheboygan WI 53081

Spring Speaker Series
2025-05-06 18:00 - 19:30
Pre-Registration Encouraged

Tuesday May 6, 6:00 pm–7:30 pmAn Underwater Museum: The Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast, Russ GreenThe power of nature rules in the recent NOAA designation of coastline from Kewaunee County to Port Washington as a National Marine Sanctuary housing 36 known shipwrecks, ways to explore them, and coordination to protect their history. NOAA’s Director of the Great Lakes National Marine Sanctuary Russ Green lets us dive deeper than we ever could before.
Tuesday June 3, 6:00 pm–7:30 pmThe Business of Water Stewardship, Samantha McLellandAt the center of all business lies profound shared resources. Part of the mission of many companies includes intercultural and international efforts to keep resources like water healthy. Learn about how Kohler Co. stewards watersheds from Sheboygan County to locations worldwide with the company’s Enterprise Program Manager of Water Samantha McClelland.
——————-
Tuesday March 4, 6:00 pm–7:30 pmHistory of Sheboygan Surf, Larry WilliamsGiant waves on Sheboygan’s coast of Lake Michigan have given way to cultural and recreational moments including the identity of “Malibu of the Midwest.” Sheboygan’s unique surf has permeated blockbuster movies, progressed wetsuit technology, and required innovations for ice-encrusted forecasts as told by co-founder of the Dairyland Surf Classic, Larry Williams.
Tuesday April 1, 6:00 pm–7:30 pmSheboygan County’s Ice Age Story, David MickelsonThe Laurentide Ice Sheet went wild in Sheboygan County 100,000 years ago and left us with a landscape that defines our work, our play, our wildlife, and our beloved Ice Age Trail. UW–Madison provides a Badger Talk with Senior Scientist David Mickelson to unpack the erratics.

Family Nights
2025-05-05 16:00 - 18:00
Did you know that your family makes Sheboygan County history every day? So get over to 3110 Erie Ave and get connected to that history at Sheboygan County Museum’s Family Nights featuring special hours and playful programs.
Drop-in 4:00pm–6:00pm

Fish PATCHES
May 5
Get into the flow of Sheboygan County’s glorious fishing history just days after opening day. Make your own Gyotaku fish print patch with Elkhart Lake artist and business owner The Mad Patcher.
See the Girl Scouts’ fishing badge prototype, created and earned first right here in Sheboygan.

Admission for this Family Night is FREE thanks togenerous sponsorship from Kohler Co.

Object Exposure 2025
2025-04-24 17:15 - 18:15
Community members reveal an object from the SCM collection to help tell their stories and to ask you about yours.
Everyone welcome! Chat and connect over the history we share.
February 27: Men’s Fashion, Leovardo Aguilar
April 24: Credit, Joshua MacDonald
July 10: Sports, Allen Vang
September 25: Tools, Laura Rammer
5:15pm–6:15pm; $5 Public or Free for Members
Pre-registration strongly encouraged for this special, after hours program: bit.ly/thesheboe
Register

Spring Speaker Series
2025-04-01 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-03-04 18:00 - 19:30
Presenters explore the impact of Sheboygan County’s watershed and how it continues to form who we are. Join us the first Tuesdays of spring, March–June.
$5 public and free for members. Pre-registration is encouraged at link below.
Register for May
Tuesday March 4, 6:00 pm–7:30 pm
History of Sheboygan Surf, Larry Williams
Giant waves on Sheboygan’s coast of Lake Michigan have given way to cultural and recreational moments including the identity of “Malibu of the Midwest.” Sheboygan’s unique surf has permeated blockbuster movies, progressed wetsuit technology, and required innovations for ice-encrusted forecasts as told by co-founder of the Dairyland Surf Classic, Larry Williams.
Tuesday April 1, 6:00 pm–7:30 pm
Sheboygan County’s Ice Age Story, David Mickelson
The Laurentide Ice Sheet went wild in Sheboygan County 100,000 years ago and left us with a landscape that defines our work, our play, our wildlife, and our beloved Ice Age Trail. UW–Madison provides a Badger Talk with Senior Scientist David Mickelson to unpack the erratics.
Tuesday May 6, 6:00 pm–7:30 pm
An Underwater Museum: The Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast, Russ Green
The power of nature rules in the recent NOAA designation of coastline from Kewaunee County to Port Washington as a National Marine Sanctuary housing 36 known shipwrecks, ways to explore them, and coordination to protect their history. NOAA’s Director of the Great Lakes National Marine Sanctuary Russ Green lets us dive deeper than we ever could before.
Tuesday June 3, 6:00 pm–7:30 pm
The Business of Water Stewardship, Samantha McLelland
At the center of all business lies profound shared resources. Part of the mission of many companies includes intercultural and international efforts to keep resources like water healthy. Learn about how Kohler Co. stewards watersheds from Sheboygan County to locations worldwide with the company’s Enterprise Program Manager of Water Samantha McClelland.

Family Nights
2025-03-10 16:00 - 18:00
Did you know that your family makes Sheboygan County history every day? So get over to 3110 Erie Ave and get connected to that history at Sheboygan County Museum’s Family Nights featuring special hours and playful programs.
Drop-in 4:00pm–6:00pm
Regular admission/Free for members (unless specified)
Interested in sponsoring Family Nights to be free for all? Contact Executive Director Brett Lobello at brett.lobello@sheboygancounty.com.
March 10
Water Magic Tricks
Make a wand and try your hand at various water magic trick stations. Try our Agua Fresca recipe (drinks available for purchase) and get full access to the museum campus.
Sheboygan County Museum

May 5
Fish Badges
Get into the flow of Sheboygan County’s glorious fishing history just days after opening day. Make your own Gyotaku fish print patch with Elkhart Lake artist and business owner The Mad Patcher.
See the Girl Scouts’ fishing badge prototype, created and earned first right here in Sheboygan!
Sheboygan County Museum

August 11
Lantern Making
Vollrath Park, free for all

August 18
Lantern Making
Vollrath Bowl Lantern Parade at 8:00pm
Vollrath Park, free for all

October 13
Outdoor Guerilla Tree Art
Sheboygan County Museum

Water/ Ways - Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibit
2025-03-01 - 2025-05-10
Our World IS Water

US Sailing Center Sheboygan & Sheboygan Lighthouse

On display at the Sheboygan County Museum from March 1 through May 10, 2025, Water/ Ways, a Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibit, reminds us that as a natural resource and a vital component of humanity, water is both practical and essential to the environmental, cultural, and historical experience of life on our planet.

Ice harvesting on Random Lake, WI

Representing over 71% of the Earth’s surface, water is an essential component of everyday life on our planet. This critical role is not just as a natural resource, but as a shared substance that shapes the artistic, economic, and cultural experience of community, people, and time. Water/ Ways, explores the relationship between people and water through this multi-faceted lens. Additional local content will further explore the impact of water for Sheboygan County residents past and present.

“Cooler by the Lake” Art Chair, Kristin Olson. 2023.

Water/ Ways is a Museum on Main Street exhibition developed by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and inspired by an exhibition developed by the American Museum of Natural History, New York (www.amnh.org).
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Cover Image: Fishing on the Chattahoochee River, Ga. Photo by Steve Harwood
