Current Core Exhibits

RACINE COUNTY'S SPIRIT OF INNOVATION

The Horlick Company made many products including Horlick Malted Milk.

Did you know that Racine inventions are known the world over? We have revolutionized agriculture. We create healthy home environments on every continent. Our machines drive every kind of home appliance there is. We have risked all to explore and discover, pole to pole and beyond the atmosphere.

Factory for the World

Our newest exhibit showcased some of the myriad stories of inventors and inventions, Racine County's diverse, creative population and the products that have placed Racine County on the world stage.

RACINE COUNTY: FACTORY FOR THE WORLD

Horlick’s Malted Milk, food mixers, military tanks, Little Golden Books and floor polish share a common thread that Racine County folks know and are proud of; all were produced (and some invented) right here in southeastern Wisconsin.

Highlighting the County’s 20th century manufacturing and industrial mix, Racine County: Factory for the World tells stories of inventive and hardworking local folks who responded to national and global events with manufactured and agricultural goods.

MALTY THE MUMMY

Malty the Mummy!

Racine Heritage Museum's enduringly popular attraction is an egyptian mummy. The mummy was brought to Racine by William Horlick, Jr., in 1902. Horlick, the second generation to lead the Horlick Malted Milk Company, kept the mummy in his office on Northwestern Avenue. After his death in 1940 the mummy, which we nickname "Malty", was given to the museum.

"Malty" dates to about 300 AD, the late Ptolemaic period in Egyptian history.

Learn about Racine's involvement in the Underground Railroad

THIS TRAIN IS BOUND FOR GLORY: RACINE COUNTY'S UNDERGROUND RAILROAD

Racine County was a hotbed of abolitionist activity during the years leading to the Civil War, and the eyes of the nation were upon our community. Uncover Racine County's Underground Railroad: secret hiding places, narrow escapes - a community spurred to action. These stories are brought to life with lots artifacts, images, and interactive underground railroad role-playing activity.

The exhibit also features stories of Racine County during and after the Civil War, exploring the impact of our abolitionist legacy through more contemporary stories of Civil Rights, housing and education.  

The Racine Belles; Racine's championship women baseball team.

FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT IN RACINE

Features the SC Johnson Company connection to the architect, to innovation and to community spirit. In these landmark structures, innovation in planning and design are supported by local skills and labor, producing unique construction and sustainability.

Racine's maritime history

OUR MARITIME PAST

Explores Racine's boat building heritage and history as a thriving Great Lakes commercial port.

THE MITCHELL MOTOR COMPANY

Illustrates the rise and fall of a company that produced wagons, cars and motorbikes. The exhibit is organized around a historic Mitchell car and supported with a take-out leaflet.

FRACTIONAL HORSE POWER MOTORS

Shows connections between Hamilton-Beach, Horlicks and ice cream, and looks at more inventions from Johnson and Modine, through Dremel and In-Sink-Erator, to TwinDisc. Supported with take-home leaflets.