Manitowoc & Two Rivers, WI

Maritime history is so much a part of the Manitowoc/Two Rivers area. The tradition of quality theater, embodied by the Capitol complex, is no less important in the fabric of lakefront life.

Add excellent library facilities, fascinating art and glorious architecture, and you'll see why Manitowoc/Two Rivers residents feel they have a cultural atmosphere to be proud of.

Centerpiece of the cultural environment in Manitowoc is the Capitol Civic Centre complex, anchored by the renovated Capitol Theatre, which opened in 1921. A community theater group called The Masquers led the drive to save the old theater, donating $50,000 toward purchase and restoration. The amount was matched by Mrs. Helen Schuette, leading to the formation of The Society to Preserve the Capitol.

Two properties adjacent to the theater were purchased and incorporated into the complex, providing meeting and reception facilities. The "Jewel on the Lakeshore" is now home to 14 community arts, music and theater groups and houses the Kadow Movie Museum, a collection of photographs autographed by Hollywood stars. Capitol Civic Centre's facilities have also been the venue for touring shows, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and the Glenn Miller Orchestra.

Wisconsin Maritime Museum - Featuring the history of shipping on the Great Lakes, World War II submarine, maritime collection of memorabilia.

Rogers Street Fishing Village - This site features commercial fishing craft, a lighthouse from the 1880s and original fishing shanties, helping to recreate the historic fishing culture of the 19th century. The site includes the U.S. Coast Guard exhibit, to tell the story of storms and shipwrecks, and the daring rescues by Coast Guard personnel.

Washington House - dating from the 1800s, this historic hotel building has been restored to house a museum and ice cream parlor, under the supervision of the Two Rivers Historical Society.

Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum - Also under the auspices of the Two Rivers Historical Society, this museum features wood type and presses showing how the printing industry operated many years ago.

Vilas Mansion - One of Manitowoc's finest old homes was restored to house the area's first art museum, the Rahr-West Art Museum, with a collection of American paintings, arts and crafts, antique dolls and more.

Valders - The ethnic center celebrates its Norwegian heritage. One activity is a parade featuring a "Viking ship" float.

Zunker's Antique Car Museum - Dozens of old cars, antique motor bikes and bicycles and more.