Milwaukee County Historical Society

Collections - Fine Art

Our collections include over 500 pieces of art; paintings, drawings, and sculpture showcasing various historical people, places and events in Milwaukee’s history. They provide a colorful glimpse of the three founders of the city, various sketches of historical structures, some gone, and others as prominent today as yesterday. The collection captures tranquil and turbulent times in Milwaukee, from the torchlight parade to the Sinking of the Lady Elgin.

Mrs. Elizabeth Plankinton

Mrs. Elizabeth Plankinton
MCHS Number: M1995.021.004

Painting of Mrs. Elizabeth Plankinton. Oil on canvas. House in ornate plaster frame that is painted gold. Date and Artist unknown.

Neil Norris in a girl’s dress

Neil Norris in a boy’s dress
MCHS Number: M2000.013.001

Full-length portrait of Neil Norris in boy's dress with straw hat with blue ribbon. Painting is in a massive gilt frame. Oil on canvas. Date and artist unknown.

Mrs. Keley

Mrs. Keley
MCHS Number: M2000.014.001

Oil on canvas. Portrait of Mrs. Keley, a past President of the Colonial Dames of America. Artist Unknown, c. 1901.

Milwaukee Shore

Milwaukee Shore
MCHS Number: M2000.043.001

Picturesque view of the lakefront. Oil on canvas. Painted by Harold Hall, 1897.

Mitchell Park

Mitchell Park
MCHS Number: M2000.048.001

Wintry scene at Mitchell Park, with ice-skating and buildings in the background. Painted by Ludwig Holberg, date unknown.

All images of the artifact illustrated here are © 2007 by the Milwaukee County Historical Society. These images may be downloaded and printed by individuals for personal use, research or teaching purposes, or other "fair use" as defined by U.S. Copyright Law. All other uses are strictly prohibited without prior written permission from the Milwaukee County Historical Society. Contact mchs@prodigy.net regarding usage and reproduction requests.