Children's Museums
Waukesha County Historical Society & Museum
📍 101 W Main St, Waukesha, WI 53186🌐 www.waukeshacountymuseum.org
🕐 Hours
| Monday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 1–4 PM |
| Thursday | 1–4 PM |
| Friday | 1–4 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
About Waukesha County Historical Society & Museum
Waukesha County Historical Society & Museum is a children's museum in Waukesha, WI. The museum features a permanent exhibit dedicated to Les Paul, the legendary guitarist and inventor, showcasing his early guitar innovations including 'The Log' and early recording equipment spanning his 9 decades of life. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by 88 visitors.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Historical Society & Museum
- Best For
- All ages
- Highlights
- Les Paul exhibit, 15,000+ artifacts, over 1 million documents, Huelsman Family Research Center
- Hours
- Wed-Fri 1-4pm, Sat 10am-4pm
- Since
- 1914
💡 Did You Know?
- The museum features a permanent exhibit dedicated to Les Paul, the legendary guitarist and inventor, showcasing his early guitar innovations including 'The Log' and early recording equipment spanning his 9 decades of life
- The Waukesha County Historical Society & Museum is housed in the former Waukesha County Courthouse complex, which is handicap accessible and includes the Huelsman Family Research Center with major primary source documents and archives
- The museum offers a Historic Markers driving tour with fun-run style activities, combining traditional historical education with interactive outdoor exploration of the region
- Exhibits cover diverse historical periods and themes including Freedom & Fashion (1920s women's fashion), the Spanish-American War (1898) with uniforms and personal letters from local soldiers, and agricultural legacies of Waukesha County
💬 What Visitors Say
- Plan to spend 2+ hours exploring, especially if you're interested in the Les Paul exhibit. Visitors report getting fully engaged with the detailed displays and informative content, so allow adequate time rather than treating it as a quick stop.
- Bring children and family members—the museum's multimedia approach and colorful, creative presentation of exhibits (particularly the Les Paul display) appeals to younger visitors without being overwhelming in size, making it ideal for multi-generational visits.
- If you're researching local history or genealogy, book an appointment with the Huelsman Family Research Center & Archives in advance. The museum houses significant primary source records and documents for county history, people, and communities.
- Admission is very affordable at $7 for adults with free on-street parking. At this price point, the museum offers excellent value, especially given the breadth of exhibits from Native American history through the 1920s plus the substantial Les Paul collection.
- The staff and volunteers are notably friendly and accommodating—don't hesitate to spend extended time reading exhibits or asking questions. Visitors report staff being genuinely pleased to have guests explore thoroughly at their own pace.
Other Children's Museums in Waukesha
More Family Fun Nearby
Other venues within driving distance:
Own this venue? Stand out from the competition.
Children's Museums listings that are Featured get seen first by thousands of families every month.
- Priority placement in search
- Photo gallery showcase
- Insider tips from visitors
- Highlighted in dedicated featured section