There are many museums near The William for you to visit and explore. Museums are a central part of history and education.
Before the internet, people used libraries and museums to research topics, not computers and phones. Research required people to get out of their comfort zone, ask for help, and listen to others.
Take the time to discover the Racine museums exhibiting art, culture, and heritage.
Racine Art Museum (RAM)
441 Main St, Racine, WI 53403
Sun-Tue Closed, Wed-Sat 12pm-4pm
262-638-8300
The Racine Art Museum (RAM) hosts the biggest modern craft collection in North America featuring more than 9,500 pieces from artists around the world. Racine Art Museum’s goal “is to exhibit, collect, preserve, and educate in the contemporary visual arts.”
The Museum offers community outreach programs and studio art classes and workshops taught by renowned artists from the Midwest and United States.
Read more about the RAM’s history and hours and admission
RAM’s Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts
2519 Northwestern Ave, Racine, WI 53403
Sun-Tue Closed, Wed-Sat 12pm-4pm
262-636-9177
ramart.org/exhibit/wustum-generations
The Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts was created November 16, 1941, when the house was given to the city of Racine to be used for a fine arts museum.
The house presents work by artists’ who contributed to Wustum’s history. The RAM was established in 2003, increasing the need for artists’ help with institutional development.
The artists have worked diligently to keep the Wustum and RAM open by volunteering their time and knowledge, working as staff, board members, and committee members, and campaigning, sponsoring, and donating incredible collections.
The artists displayed in this Wustum and RAM meet two criteria:
- They have been essential to the Wustum’s and RAM’s growth.
- They contribute to the RAM’s properties.
Firehouse 3 Museum
700 6th St, Racine, WI 53403
Appointment Only
Firehouse 3 Museum was once the Racine Fire Department station, functioning from 1882 to 1968. Over time, the Fire Station’s equipment and staff advanced.
Initially, a horse-drawn steamer and hose cart was used from 1882 to 1918 before a motorized fire apparatus was introduced and used until 1943. Racine’s first full-time Rescue Squad was established in 1943 and served until 1968 when the station was shut down.
Firehouse 3 Museum is a memorial to all Racine Fire Fighters of Racine of the past, present, and future; who dedicate their lives protecting Racine residents.
The objects featured are to show people how fires were once fought, dating back over 100 years. The Racine Fire Bells are the sole preservers of the Museum, as Firehouse 3 Museum does not receive any funding from the City of Racine.
Read the Racine Fire Bells’ 1992 publication History of the Racine Fire Department to learn more.
Racine Heritage Museum
701 Main St, Racine, WI 53403
Sun 12pm-4pm, Mon Closed, Tue-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-3pm
262-636-3926
Racine Heritage Museum was established by early community builders in 1870 as the Old Settlers’ Society. Its original purpose was “to preserve the stories and experience of the settlement of Racine County.”
Today, the Racine Heritage Museum serves as a preservation of Racine County’s one-of-a-kind history. Visitors will learn the “achievements, inventive genius, and entrepreneurial spirit” of Racine’s residents.
Learn how you can support and explore the Racine Heritage Museum.
Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 838 & Southeast Wisconsin Aviation Museum
3333 N Green Bay Rd, Racine, WI 53404
General Member meetings are held on the third Thursday each month (except August & December) from 7pm-9pm
262-634-7575
Quinn Rench and a group of aviation hobbyists organized Chapter 838 in September of 1984. Rench inadvertently became the Chapter’s first president.
Chapter 838 would meet in members’ homes, hangars, and basements and released their first newsletter, Contact, in July of 1985. The Chapter began building “a permanent home” in December of 1987.
Chapter 838 started construction on March 9, 1992 before signing a charter for the Southeast Wisconsin Aviation Museum and Hall of Fame that same month.
The building needed more museum space and expanded in 1999, before creating their website in 2002 where you can find more information about Chapter 838.
