For over eight decades, the museum has been entrusted with the documentation, preservation, care, management, and exhibition of artifacts, photographs, film, and archival materials representing all aspects of Oshkosh's people and heritage. The archives hold an extensive collection of over 47,000 historic photographs and 1,078 linear feet of archival records and are considered one of Wisconsin's better archives. The museum collections encompass approximately 75,000 objects that relate to the community's past and the broader context of national history.

The Oshkosh Public Museum owns a diverse collection of objects and images representing the people and environment of Oshkosh and the Lake Winnebago Region of East Central Wisconsin. More than 250,000 objects are held in trust by the museum including fine, folk and decorative arts, textiles, toys, natural history specimens, Native American objects, historic artifacts, and an outstanding archival collection.

The Oshkosh Public museum is a great community resource and depends on help from people just like you. If you love history, natural sciences or art, or just enjoy the great atmosphere of museums and like to meet and work with people, we invite you to contact us. Follow the links on the left to learn about the many ways you can get involved with the Oshkosh Public Museum!

Make the museum store your place to shop for unique gifts and mementos of Oshkosh. We have choices to fit every price range. The income derived from the store directly supports the museum and its programs.

Our mission is to identify, collect, document, preserve and interpret material culture, ideas, and values representing Oshkosh and the Lake Winnebago Region. The Museum will strive to promote and nurture an understanding and an appreciation of this valuable legacy through easily accessible, quality exhibitions, programs, publications and other educational experiences.

The award-winning Oshkosh Public Museum was founded in 1924 and is the second oldest public museum in Wisconsin.