Bucyrus International continues to invest in its South Milwaukee campus.
The company held a grand opening celebration for its newly renovated visitor center today, and I was happy to attend and get a first-hand look at its new three-story museum — an upgrade from its one-story facility — as well as a new company store and theater, all part of its Heritage Building.
My review? In a word, outstanding.
From the interactive features aimed at young people on the first floor to the library — named for outgoing Bucyrus CEO Tim Sullivan — on the third floor, the museum does a great job of telling the story of Bucyrus … a story that is distinctly South Milwaukee.
And the best part? The museum will now have regular, daily hours:
- Sundays and Mondays: Closed
- Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Thursdays: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Fridays: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Also, Bucyrus is planning regular plant tours.
The renovations were done over the winter, and I am glad to see this project completed. I see it as a strong sign of Bucyrus’ continued commitment to South Milwaukee even with the looming acquisition by Caterpillar.
The next step is to see how we can leverage this major investment as a community. That potential is limitless.
In his remarks about the renovation Thursday, Sullivan specifically cited the company’s interest in making the facility a destination for visitors, and based on what I saw it most assuredly will be. He said the company is working with Visit Milwaukee to make this happen, working to attract everyone from local convention attendees to bus tours.
Think of it … a busload of tourists having just visited the Harley-Davidson Museum makes their next stop at Bucyrus, spending an hour or two at the museum before heading out to a downtown restaurant, the Downtown Market or the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center for a show. Or maybe they make a sidetrip to the Seven Bridges at Grant Park.
Think of the potential economic impact that brings to our city.
Well, this is not just a fantasy. This may be reality sooner rather than later thanks to this major investment in a truly unique community attraction.
Thank you, Bucyrus. Now, let’s tell the world about this!
South Milwaukee Blog 
This is fabulous and the SMHS/SMSH alumni need to know about this for their class reunions! Please post the URL to the museum website and I’ll help spread the word.
Thank you Bucyrus for giving back to the community. I’m looking forward to seeing the new “digs” (excuse the pun!)
Gotta hand it to Sullivan. It takes a lot of guts to name something after yourself while you are still there. (Don’t doubt for a moment that a CEO with a modicum of modesty would be ignored if he said “Don’t name it after me”). That is why I (a right leaning moderate independent) would vote for Feingold for Senate rather than “All-About-Me” Sullivan.
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