After going to several of the places that participated in this "event," I questioned, "So what was the point?" My overall impression was that it was an unjustified money-grab by the organizations and businesses that participated. Let me explain where I went, and why I thought that:
- Quadracci Pavilion at the MAM. We really only came here because my husband has never been here. But, seriously, this is free, and open to the public, every day. I don't understand why it was put on the list, as if this was some sort of exclusive opportunity. Money grab: getting people to pay admission into the art museum and/or spend money at the museum store, and some sort of promotion from Kohl's was also going on because they had a table set up.
- Basilica St. Josephat. This one is likewise open to the public year round, like any church. But it was beautiful, and the only one on the tour that I felt was truly being offered for the public good. No one was proseletyzing or even so much as trying to get us to come to services, there were no obvious donation boxes in sight, etc.
- Milwaukee County Greenhouses. Two of the greenhouses were open to the public. One had some potted poinsettias growing (but not yet in bloom) but was at least half empty. The other was similarly uninteresting, so we didn't bother going in there. Several were not open to the public, and had their door handles zip-tied together and large "Do Not Enter; Pesticides in Use" signs on the doors. There was at least one, if not two, entities on site seeking donations.
- Northwestern Mutual Tower. This was by far the most disappointing of them all. You could walk through parts of the first floor lobby, the same as everyone else. None of the other floors were open to the public. We were told there was a green roof. However, we were not allowed to go up and see it. They were offering hardcover books on the history of Northwestern Mutual. Thanks, but no thanks. I'll stick with my current life insurance provider. They may not have a green roof but, if they did, at least they would not taunt me with it and then deny me access.
- Frank Lloyd Wright "Burnham Block" houses. We were only allowed to see the front exteriors, which I could drive by or walk by and see any day. One of the houses was open to the public, but there was a tour guide who apparently loved to hear himself talk because, before we decided to leave, we stood in a line that didn't move, for over half an hour, watching him standing on the front porch talking to a group. One of the houses on the block was sided-over with aluminum siding. Even the exterior trim details were sided-over. The soffits were too short, and were dropping, and we saw birds hovering just inside between the soffits and the roof. It was hideous and depressing.
- Urban Ecology Center in Menomonee Valley. It was cool to know it existed, and it's nice that there is something to keep kids learning and occupied in that community (which is not a terrible neighborhood, but not great, either). They did have some turtles and such in aquariums in the basement, which was pretty cool, but other than that there really wasn't much to see. I suspect the reason for being on the tour was more of a, "Hey, we exist. If you like what we're doing, go ahead and donate to our cause" type thing.
- Milwaukee Blacksmith was cool because we got to see people actually working, and in their work environment. This was the ONLY place we went to on the tour that made me think, "Oh, neat: I got to see something you don't normally get to see." They were selling some of their wares outside, but at least that made sense because they opened up their workplace to us.
I'm glad we did the tour because at least we know we weren't missing out on anything. That said, though, I do not think I will go out of my way to do it again. read more