The look and feel of the bicycle has undergone dramatic changes throughout its nearly two century history. This permanent exhibit traces the evolution of the bicycle – as well as the changes in people’s attitudes toward these mechanical marvels – from the earliest European models...through the bicycles designed by the Wright Brothers...to modern-day racing designs.

The Draisine,

or walking machine,

was invented in 1816

in Germany by

Baron Karl von Drais.

The "Van Cleve"

bicycle built by the

Wright Brothers

in the mid-1890s.

A model of the original

Wright Flyer in 1:5 scale

soars over the exhibits

at the museum.

Many Monroe County

aviators built and flew

this Pietenpol kit airplane.

Vic having fun in

the N-J-N Biplane, 1972.

Verdell Hallingstad,

an early

Monroe County aviator,
poses with his plane

Pearl Harbor Exhibit

A visual visit to December 7th, 1941.  A day of infamy!  Pearl Harbor as seen through the eyes of a U.S. Navy sailor from Monroe County, Verdeen W. Richgruber.  One of Monroe County's Pearl Harbor Survivors.

The Life & Adventures of Deke Slayton

Born and raised in Monroe County, Donald “Deke” Slayton served in the Army Air Corps during the Second World War, and he was a US Air Force test pilot during the 1950s. In 1959, he was chosen as one of the elite 7 who made up America’s first group of astronauts – the Mercury 7.

This permanent biographical exhibit examines the accomplishments of Monroe County’s most famous son – before, during and after his crucial years at the National Aeronautic & Space Administration.

Deke Slayton is last

on the right.

The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project

The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project blasted off into space in July 1975. This historic mission was the first manned, international space project, and it featured two Soviet cosmonauts and three American astronauts – including Monroe County, Wisconsin native Donald “Deke” Slayton. This exhibit looks at the political, social and scientific aspects of this milestone event of the Cold War era.

Apollo-Soyuz model

Sponsored by BumpWear.Biz