Nestled in the middle of busy downtown Milwaukee you'll find a vast collection of local history.
The Chudnow Museum of Yesteryear, located near 11th and Wells Streets, showcases the period between the World Wars -- from Prohibition to The Great Depression. Milwaukee was a much different place then; it was the second most densely populated urban area in the U.S., second only to New York City.
Visitors can stroll through the hallways of the historic building, wandering past items from Avrum M. Chudnow's personal collection. Chudnow made it his mission to preserve everyday items, and as a wealthy attorney, he had the means to collect thousands of items.
The museum is broken into individual vignettes, and each room has its own story. From a barber shop with a secret passageway to a speakeasy, to a grocery store stocked with authentic period food tins, and even a gallery of political artifacts, the museum covers all aspects of life in the 1920s, 30s, and 40s.
Click the podcast player to go on an audio tour with Steve Davis, director of the Chudnow Museum.
