“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 Third Ward. Both Rae and Dia were impressed by the combination of historic charm and modern technology, including a VR experience on the top floor. They also enjoyed the unique bug and butterfly collection on display. Here’s a glimpse into their first-time adventure through the city and this location.

Q: What was your favorite part of visiting 217 North Broadway?

Dia Savard: My favorite part at this location was the bug and butterfly collection. I like little creatures like that.

Q: How did you feel about visiting this building for the first time?

Rae Jungwrith: I had no idea what to expect coming in here. I think this is their first time ever being open to the public too, but you can do VR on the top floor, and that was pretty freaky.

Q: Is there anything that surprised you about the building?

Rae Jungwrith: Yeah, the history was cool. Seeing the old machinery made it so much more real. You could really feel the past here.

Do you think this visit has changed how you see Milwaukee as a whole?

Dia Savard: Definitely! I had no idea there was so much history here. We’re still getting used to the city, but seeing places like this makes me appreciate Milwaukee even more. There’s so much to discover, and it’s not just another city — it’s got a lot of personality.