MILWAUKEE — For Jon Bertolas, his job is more than just a 9 to 5, it’s his passion. He’s the supervisor of the Puelicher Butterfly Wing at the Milwaukee Public Museum.

“It’s a very unique facility for Wisconsin,” said Bertolas. “It’s our only tropical year round, permeant butterfly garden.”

What You Need To Know

  • Due to the security measures, the Milwaukee Public Museum will be closed during the RNC

  • The museum will extend its hours two days before and two days after the convention until 7 p.m.

  • Staff wants to ensure visitors get the chance to experience the museum 

With the Republican National Convention (RNC) just around the corner, Bertolas is encouraging guests to not only pay a visit to the butterfly wing, but the other exhibits inside of the museum. 

“We have a very strong anthropological collection and a very strong history collection,” said Bertolas. “Our goal is the connect the human and nature connection.”

Communications Director, Madeline Anderson, said the museum will be closed the four days of the RNC due to security purposes. 

“We are located within the outer security perimeter and what that means people coming in with their vehicles or personnel on foot they would have to go through a security checkpoint,” said Anderson. “In addition some of the parking areas around the museum are going to be inaccessible or difficult access.” 

Instead, the museum will be open the two days before the convention and two days after until 7 p.m. when the security measures are not in place. 

“We want to make sure the people who are here from out of town can experience the museum and our immersive exhibits,” said Anderson.  

Both Anderson and Bertolas want to showcase a piece of Milwaukee to those visiting and maybe even for the first time. 

“The Milwaukee Public Museum is definitely a hidden gem,” said Bertolas. “You take for granted that it’s there.”

Whether it’s the Puelicher Butterfly Wing or even the Streets of Old Milwaukee, the public museum has something for everyone. 

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