SOMERS, Wis. (Civic Media) — A massive new facility dedicated to preserving and showcasing military history opened its doors in Kenosha County on Saturday. The Pritzker Military Archives Center held its grand opening with ceremonies, exhibits and behind-the-scenes tours at the 50,000-square-foot building.
The $35 million center in Somers is home to the Pritzker Military Museum & Library’s collection of over 120,000 artifacts, books, images, recordings and manuscripts related to military conflicts throughout history. It relocated from its former home in downtown Chicago.
The effort is led by Jennifer Pritzker, a retired lieutenant colonel in the Illinois Army National Guard who founded the museum and library in 2003. Pritzker, a cousin of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, funded the project through her Pritzker Military Foundation.
The center was designed by renowned architect Helmut Jahn as his final project before his sudden death in May 2021. It sits on a 20-acre property on Highway E, just off I-94 and features a 9,400-square-foot gallery with immersive exhibits on World War II, the Vietnam War and other conflicts.
Interactive displays allow visitors to experience recreated environments like a World War II communications trench and Vietnam War medical triage tent. Walking paths wind through the grounds, which have solar panels and room for future expansion.
In addition to the physical museum space, the Pritzker Military Archives Center is working to make its collections available digitally for online viewing and research.
The Ithaca School District Goes to Referendum
9/14/2024 | Jo Ann Krulatz
Residents of the Ithaca School District will be seeing a referendum question on the ballot next month. That question will ask the voters to authorize the Ithaca School District to exceed the revenue limit by $1.3 million per year for four years for non-recurring purposes. The reason for the ask is both simple and complex. […]
Elijah Vue Has Been Found
9/14/2024 | Jo Ann Krulatz
Missing three year old, Elijah Vue, has been found. Two Rivers Police Chief Ben Meinnert: Police say a hunter discovered Elijah’s remains last weekend on private property near in the Town of Two Rivers. They were positively identified by the Wisconsin Crime Lab through DNA testing. The 3-year-old was reported missing February 20th of this […]
Surface Water Grants Available
9/14/2024
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will award more than $6 million to local groups to protect and improve surface water. Interested and eligible organizations are encouraged to apply for a surface water grant. A pre-application must be submitted by this Sunday (September 15), to compete for a grant in November. Eligible organizations include […]
Wisconsin State Senate Candidate Believes Voters Want Change in District 18
9/13/2024 | Teri Barr
Democratic State Senate Candidate Kristin Alfheim discusses respectful dialogue, compromise, and problem-solving on the Matenaer on Air show.
Two Rivers Police: Elijah Vue has been found
9/13/2024
Elijah Vue has been found. The human skeletal remains found in the Town of Two Rivers in Manitowoc County have been positively identified as those of the missing 3-year-old.
