MBL

Major League Milwaukee: Braves, Brewers, Baseball

The Milwaukee County Historical Society will open a new exhibition entitled Major League Milwaukee: Braves, Brewers, Baseball that examines the community's relationship with Major League Baseball over the past fifty-five years on Sunday, July 22 from 1 to 5 p.m, and running through December 2nd.

The exhibition pays tribute to the 50th anniversary of the World Series win by the Milwaukee Braves in 1957 and the 25th anniversary of the Brewers win of the 1982 American League Championship.

Bob Buege, a member of the Society of American Baseball Research and the Milwaukee Braves Historical Association, will present an illustrated lecture on the early history of major league baseball in Milwaukee at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 22 of the exhibition opening.

Highlighted in the exhibit will be baseball bats used by Paul Molitor, Robin Yount, and Gorman Thomas, a signed uniform from Ben Oglivie, a signed batting helmet from Cecil Cooper, and signed balls and baseball cards from many of the other players.

The exhibit also will feature both fan and player experiences. Over 100 objects and a like number of photographs help tell the story of baseball excitement, pride, fame, struggle, and even bitter disappointment. From the story come legends such as Henry Aaron, Warren Spahn, Eddie Mathews, and Lou Burdette of the Braves and Paul Molitor, Gorman Thomas, Robin Yount, and Jim Gantner of the Brewers.

Fan souvenirs and business advertisements represent the focus of the exhibit with booster pins and buttons, a player ring made by Max Margolis of the Columbia Family Clothing Stores, Spic and Span and Johnston Cookies baseball cards, an Old Milwaukee bar score board, score cards, pennants, bobble heads, fan art, children’s toys, posters, a fan banner and decorated hats, a turn stile from Milwaukee County Stadium, and a model of Miller Park.

The exhibit will also feature original radio broadcasts of the 1957 series and television footage of both the Braves in 1957 and Brewers in 1982. Hands-on activities include an interactive that shows the differences between player gloves and a dress up area where children can put on fan gear.

The Milwaukee County Historical Society is open Mondays to Fridays 9:30 am to 5:00 pm; Saturdays 10:00 am to 5:00 pm; Sundays 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Admission charges apply--$3.00 for adults; $2.00 for children over 6 years (free for children under 5 years); $2.00 for seniors (over 62 years); $10.00 family rate (2 adults and 3 or more children). The museum is free on Mondays to Milwaukee County residents. Milwaukee County Historical Society members are admitted free at all times.

The Milwaukee County Historical Center is located at 910 North Old World Third Street, Milwaukee, WI. For additional information call 414-273-8288 or visit us on line at http://www.milwaukeecountyhistory.org/.

Vintage Baseball Tournament at historic Trimborn Farm
Saturday and Sunday, August 4 & 5, from 9:00 to 4:00

Grab the peanuts and Crackerjack and step back in time with the Milwaukee Cream City Base Ball Club as they host their third annual two-day regional tournament. Vintage baseball is growing all over the United States and if you've never seen players in wool uniforms play a gentlemanly game according to 1860s rules, without mitts, and submitting to a barrister (umpire) in top hat and coat tails, you're in for a treat!

On Saturday, Aug. 4, plan to attend the First Ladies' Gowns Fashion Show in the Threshing Barn, with runway models featuring ensembles worn by our nation's First Ladies from Martha Washington to Laura Bush. And, the Dixie Doodlers will provide music on the grounds.

On Sunday, Aug. 5, enjoy the Village of Greendale Band as they play music of the period. Admission is free. Call 414-529-7744 for more information. Trimborn Farm is located at 8881 W. Grange Ave., Greendale, just one mile west from Southridge Mall.