‘Joseph Stalin’s granddaughter was baptized here, with my parents being the godparents.’ Posted on October 16, 2025October 21, 2025 by Skye Williams Cathy Spyres is a long-time active member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church and works as the head of volunteers for the Doors Open Milwaukee event at the church. She’s lived in Milwaukee her entire life and was previously a member of Milwaukee’s first Greek Orthodox church. Skye Williams: Are you from the Milwaukee area? […]
‘I’m kind of a weirdo and have been going to cemeteries my entire life, especially this one.’ Posted on October 16, 2025October 16, 2025 by Amber Moreno-Padilla This year marks the 175th anniversary of Forest Home Cemetery & Arboretum. To celebrate, staff handed out free cake to Doors Open Milwaukee visitors—including Sammi Linari, whose family has long worked in the funeral industry. The highlight of her day was seeing the upper Midwest’s first crematory. Built in 1896, the crematory is no longer […]
‘Somebody loved these buildings to the point where the doorknobs are engraved.’ Posted on October 16, 2025October 16, 2025 by Starlette Schuler University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee graphic arts instructor Lauren Robertson takes in the beauty of the Riverside Theater as she sits in the audience. As she gets up from her first row seat, she requests the organist at the side of the stage, who’s playing music for the visitors, to perform “The Phantom of the Opera.” This […]
“A little boy asked me if we could get some fire-breathing dragons, so I put that on my list.” Posted on October 18, 2023October 18, 2023 by Mackenzie Quinn Andrea Bell-Myers is the Program Director at the Villa Terrace. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and has enjoyed museums throughout her life. Prior to coming to the Villa, she was a teacher. She has a passion for museums. Mackenzie Quinn: Why did you decide to work here? Was there anything that brought you […]
“People don’t know what treasure we have in Milwaukee.” Posted on October 18, 2023October 18, 2023 by Alexis Lonzo Ernee Kender is a Germantown resident and visitor to the Grain Exchange and other local buildings during the Doors Open event in Milwaukee. The Grain Exchange invented the very first trading pit in the 1860s, and for some time Milwaukee exported more wheat than any port in the world. It can be difficult to take […]
“Milwaukee PBS produces six original shows about our community.” Posted on October 18, 2023October 18, 2023 by Khirul Khirularziman Julie Hill Lehr is the manager for marketing and community engagement at MIlwaukee PBS, located in Milwaukee Area Technical College downtown. Her work includes reaching out to members of the Milwaukee community, giving a spotlight to local issues and highlighting local programming. She is proud of Milwaukee’s original programming and believes that these shows can […]
“We like to partner with community organizations and welcome people in.” Posted on October 18, 2023October 19, 2023 by Kourtni Weldon Chuck Stebelton is the Book Center Manager at the Woodland Pattern Book Center. He has participated in Doors Open Milwaukee by giving people tours of the building and showing the gallery where local artists have their work on display. He has visited other Doors Open Milwaukee events and gained great experiences in the community. Kourtni […]
“We don’t want to change the basics of it. We want to keep the look and the feel, but there’s a lot that needs work.” Posted on October 18, 2023October 19, 2023 by Carter Evenson Bill Desing grew up in Riverwest attending keg parties with his buddies at the Falcon Bowl. When he heard that it was for sale, Desing and a few friends got together to buy it. Carter Evenson: How did you get involved with the Falcon Bowl? Bill Desing: I grew up in the neighborhood and had […]
“I’ve met a ton of cool people who probably wouldn’t have come here otherwise.” Posted on October 18, 2023October 19, 2023 by Holly Garber Chris Steincamp is branch director for the Riverside Urban Ecology Center. He has been working to strengthen the relationship between the community and nature for nearly 10 years now. Holly Garber: Can you give me a little bit of a brief overview of the Urban Ecology Center? Chris Steincamp: Here at the Urban Ecology Center, […]