Grant Stories

Photography sponsor, HZL Photography

A generous grant from the Donald Hansen Fund, held within your Community Foundation, has helped to enhance the Oshkosh Public Museum‘s (OPM) Education Program initiatives, enriching the learning experiences of students, families, and adults in our community.

OPM has begun the multi-year initiative to establish an Education Program, which aims to broaden and enhance educational opportunities at the Museum. In May 2023, OPM hired the first ever dedicated Curator of Education in the Museum’s 100-year history.

The grant has supported a variety of initiatives, including field trips, family programming, and adult events. For instance, the Museum’s Family Discovery Days, held every second Saturday, have become a popular draw for families. These engaging, drop-in sessions allow families to create, explore, and enjoy interactive activities together. Since the program’s inception in May 2023 (through May 2024), nearly 600 visitors of all ages have participated in these enriching experiences.

Adult programming has also benefited from this grant. The annual Riverside Cemetery Tours, a highlight for many, have seen enhanced accessibility and engagement thanks to the acquisition of new professional-grade microphones and mobile speakers. These upgrades have not only improved the quality of the tours but have also broadened their reach, welcoming long-time Oshkosh residents, tourists, and newcomers alike.

Field trips continue to be a core component of OPM’s Education Program. All 3^rd grade classrooms in the Oshkosh Area School District now visit OPM’s award-winning People of the Waters exhibition. The hands-on activities, enabled by the support of this grant, are overwhelmingly reported as “bringing classroom learning to life” by teachers.

By providing new materials, enhancing programming, and expanding outreach, this grant is helping to ensure that the Museum remains a vibrant and valuable educational resource for our community.