Here is your list of locations (also found on the city website).
All stops are open from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm unless otherwise noted. See you around town!
Caterpillar will open its doors for tours from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm. Each tour will be about 30 minutes in length, and each tour will be conducted on the hour and on the half-hour. If crowded, the company will conduct tours every 15-20 minutes. Tours will be limited to about 20-25 people.
- All guest entering the facility will have to sign a waiver.
- All guests must wear closed-toe shoes and must wear PPE that is given to them as they arrive – earplugs and safety glasses.
- Photography will be limited. It is only allowed in certain areas of the factory, and guest will be notified when they can take a photo.
- Safety briefs will be conducted prior to the tour, and any guest who cannot comply with the safety rules till be excused from the tour.
- Parking available on site.
- Guests are asked to look for entrances and exits when arriving.
Also, help a family in need by bringing your packages of new diapers and wipes! Caterpillar is having a community Diaper and Baby Wipe Drive for United Way as part of Open Doors.
First Congregational United Church of Christ – 1111 N. Chicago Avenue
Come see the sanctuary and cemetery of the oldest church in South Milwaukee! While inside, explore our historic timeline along the sanctuary walls and meet Pastor Beth. Outdoors, take a self-guided cemetery tour with marked headstones of South Milwaukee’s founding members. Church will be open until 1 p.m.
Holy Resurrection, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, represents one of the three oldest Armenian settlements east of California (Union City, NJ, and Worcester, MA, are Nos. 1 and 2). We are celebrating our 100th anniversary starting in 2024, making us one of the oldest congregations in South Milwaukee. The original wooden structure burned down, and the current church was built on the same spot in 1962. We will have grilled shish kebab and Armenian pastries for sale on September 7. The bake sale offers a touch of nostalgia, as it is reminiscent of our annual Autumn Bake Sale at the Marine Bank (where Tri-City Bank is today).
Masjid Al-Huda South Milwaukee – 1800 16th Avenue
Guests can expect to tour our beautiful campus, bring back some of our South Milwaukee residents’ great memories, meet volunteers from our community, and sample some delicious foods from various parts of the Muslim world.
Max A. Sass & Sons is a family-owned funeral home with five locations. We are celebrating our 87th anniversary this year, making us one of the oldest family-owned funeral homes in the Milwaukee area. We began serving the South Shore area when we purchased the former St. Mary Catholic School and, after extensive remodeling, opened the location in 2012. At Open Doors, we will be offering tours of the entire facility — including the basement lunch room and second floor classrooms, which are still original — as well as sweet treats, a chance to win gift certificates to local businesses, and a chance to ask those funeral questions you were always afraid to ask.
Mill Pond Warming House – Mill Road & Oak Creek Parkway
The Warming house was built in mid 1930’s, on the Oak Creek Parkway by the lagoon (Mill Pond) for boating and skating purposes. Every winter the County Parks would prepare the pond for ice skating. Come and check out the building and have some cookies and maybe some “hot chocolate” or refreshing water.
Schlaraffia is a German-speaking male organization, which was founded in 1859 in Prague to forget everyday life by playing knights and caring about friendship, humor, and art. It is therefore not allowed to speak about politics, religion, and business. In addition to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland the chapters and castles of Schlaraffia grew wherever Germans came together in greater numbers.
In 1884, the Milwaukia was founded as the second chapter in the USA. That means we celebrate this November the 140th anniversary. From 1921 to 1986 the first Castles were located in downtown Milwaukee. In 1987 we moved into the Badger Castle in South Milwaukee following the Sisters of Pythias, who overtook the building from the Freemasons. The furniture is dating for the most part from the first years, now well over a hundred years old. Most castles in Europe had to begin from scratch after 1945 or later, as Hitler and Stalin were persecuting Schlaraffia.
On September 7th, you will be guided around by our members, see the ceremonial hall with the throne, the altar and the “rostra” (as we call our lectern), the busts of some founders, and a huge painting of the Charles Bridge in Prague painted by F.W. Heine, who was a famous panorama painter and art teacher in Milwaukee around 1900. You will also see some interesting paintings downstairs, where the members meet after the ceremony.
We will also show again a documentary by filmmaker Atesh Atici, that you may imagine how our meetings run. And if you liked it in our castle, you can make a little donation for a hand-painted paper shingle. Last year you helped us to repair our roof, what we are very thankful for, but there is always something to repair.
Join us for an exciting Open Doors visit at the South Milwaukee Fire Department! Attendees can expect guided tours of the station, demonstrations of firefighting equipment, and interactive sessions with our dedicated firefighters. Learn about our life-saving Cardiac Conscious Community program, including hands-on AED training. This is a great opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at how we keep our community safe. All ages are welcome, and we encourage everyone to ask questions and get involved!
Enter from Door 29 (East Side/Athletic Entrance) The school’s Heritage Hallway will be open for people to walk in, see and read the history of the city. Bucyrus Stadium will be open, and if it is not in use, visitors will be able to walk the track on the field. South Milwaukee Student Senate will also be having a car wash in the student parking lot.
For over 50 years, the South Milwaukee Historical Society has been working to preserve our city’s Proud Past. Visitors to the museum will see displays highlighting early industry, the Spectacle of Music, local baseball, South Milwaukee’s many sweet shops from the past, and much more. We will also be holding a raffle to raise money for a new sign for the Historical Society Museum. Raffle items include wine baskets, a relaxation basket, a cat basket, a coffee basket, and a history basket. Stop in, explore, and discover our city’s rich history!
An essential part of South Milwaukee for 51 years, South Milwaukee Human Concerns (SMHC) provides help and hope to thousands of city residents. Our primary mission is a food pantry, and SMHC also offers men’s, women’s and children’s clothing; household items; a modest Christmas gift program for children of clients; school supplies to children of clients; and social service referrals. SMHC receives no taxpayer funding and exists to serve those in need at no cost because of monetary donations and volunteers. Our facility at 1029 Milwaukee Avenue is more than 80 years old and originally opened as a Woolworths department store. We look forward to telling you more of our important and inspiring story!
South Milwaukee Police Department – 2424 15th Avenue
The Police Department will offer tours at the top of each hour, with the last tour starting at 2 p.m. You will learn about our history and mission to keep our community safe through guided tours led by a member of our force.
See the equipment that powers the Street Department! Garbage trucks, dump trucks, front end loaders, salters, chippers, bucket truck, street sweepers will be out in the yard and on display for all to see. A quick walk through the shop will allow visitors to see the garage and the mechanics repair facility.
All are welcome at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. We are a small church with a big heart and open arms. Many people are familiar with St. Mark’s for our family-friendly events such as Barks at St. Mark’s the 2nd Sunday of June, and Trunk n Treat in October!
We are honored to be part of Open Doors and the wonderful South Milwaukee Community. Visit us this Saturday and you will be greeted by the Friendly Folks of St. Mark’s. Everyone is able to take a guided or self-guided tour of the historic cemetery (locate the resting places of several historic figures including soldiers from the Civil War) and check out the history of our bell. Then walk through the Open Doors of St. Mark’s to see the sanctuary and enjoy coffee, a tasty treat and visit with St. Mark’s parishioners in the Fellowship Hall. We look forward to seeing you! We are located in front of the South Milwaukee water tower, and next to Rawson School.
Sts. Peter and Paul Polish National Catholic Church – 1308 15th Avenue
When people stop in at Trinity, they will be welcomed by congregation members. We will have historical information available as well as refreshments — a taste of our Scandinavian heritage. Our beautiful stained-glass windows will be featured in a booklet explaining the symbols in our windows.
Wulff Lodge was the home of Frederick Wulff, who was hired as the first horticulturalist for the county park system. It was built in 1916. There will be a tour of the lodge and surrounding gardens and interesting facts about Grant Park’s history. Visitors are welcomed by members of Friends of Grant Park. Photo cards, chips, and water will be for sale. Enter at the Wil-O-Way/Grant entrance off of Lake Drive (just north of the main entrance) and park in the Wil-O-Way lot. Walk down the gravel road from the parking lot to the lodge.
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