“Both sides are representing almost a toxic side to being Republican or Democrat.”

Joseph Morley, 25, is a kinesiology major wrapping up his last semester at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Like many young people, he is dissatisfied with his options in this year’s presidential election. With election day looming, he is trying to make sense of the candidates and their positions in an increasingly toxic race. To come […]

“It’s either a psycho or a normal woman. I’m going to go with normal woman.”

Gabrielle Davis, 23, is a fourth-year marketing major at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Aware of the tension of this election, Davis says that the vote shouldn’t be a difficult decision for many people. Decided on her presidential pick, she’s frustrated by constant advocacy for the candidates. Natalie Chudzik: How do you feel about the election […]

“Seeing the old machinery made it so much more real. You could really feel the past here.”

During the 2024 Doors Open Milwaukee event, Rae Jungwrith and Dia Savard, two students from Door County attending school in Milwaukee, had their first experience exploring the city and the historic 217 North Broadway building. This venue, originally a coffee roasting mill built in 1912, is now a beautifully preserved industrial relic in Milwaukee’s Historic […]

“We would go to thrift stores and find cameras that still had a few shots left.”

Kori Fuerst is a co-owner of Retrospekt, a Wisconsin-based company that restores and sells vintage technology. Fuerst and her husband, Adam, started the business in 2015 due to their love for Polaroid cameras. The company’s mission is to preserve and share the magic of retro technology. Retrospekt specializes in vintage cameras, portable cassette players, and […]

“It’s their first time coming to this museum, and they didn’t even know this gem existed.”

While art and engineering are rarely associated with each other, the Milwaukee School of Engineering seamlessly blends the two at the on-campus Grohmann museum. The museum dedicated to the “evolution of human work”, according to their website, features an impressive collection of paintings, drawings and sculptures all celebrating human progress. Kathleen Miezio, a regular volunteer […]

“I know we have over 800 bus operators and we have 203 maintenance employees.”

The Milwaukee County Transit System Fleet Maintenance Building houses all Milwaukee County city buses that need repair. The body shop, tire repair and paint hangar are in the Fleet Maintenance Department. Dwyane Reese is the director of maintenance. He has been at Milwaukee County Transit System for 26 years. Briceon Monk: How long has Milwaukee Transit […]

“We are the only home close to the lake that is actually publicly accessible.”

Rheta Matsumoto is the Membership and Visitor Services Manager at the Villa Terrace Museum. The museum, which offers a hilltop view of Lake Michigan, is nestled in what was historically known as the “Gold Coast” neighborhood in Milwaukee. In addition to participating in Doors Open Milwaukee, Villa Terrace was also celebrating the building’s 100th year […]

“I learned right alongside the kids that we’ve worked with.”

Bill Nimke is the founder and executive director of All Hands Boatworks, a Milwaukee nonprofit dedicated to inspiring children through the art of boat building. Nimke, a former middle and high school English teacher, continued his passion for helping children learn by creating the nonprofit 11 years ago. So far, he estimates that the organization […]