Rahr West Art Museum

For a museum of this size, I was blown away by the massive collection of original Keith Haring subway drawings on chalk paper. Honestly, it’s so impressive they could easily charge $30 or $40 for admission, and I’d happily pay it. The fact that it’s free is incredible - don’t miss it! I think exhibition is here until Feb 2026

Not only is the house itself a great glimpse into the history and grandeur of the late 19th/early 20th century, but it makes amazing use of the sprawling space to highlight artists of multiple genres. Galleries featuring folk non traditional, equine pieces, local artists, pottery/China, scrimshaw/carved ivory, and even an original Georgia O'Keefe full the many rooms and hallways. It also highlights how art is not just what is on a canvas, but the artistry employed by master craftsman of the last and present. There is a self guided tour and many quue cards to be sure that you get a full understanding of the pieces and collections presented. All of this painstakingly preserved and presented art is done so at no cost to the public at entry! I would however be sure to leave a donation, and thank the staff as well for being part of an exhibit that houses culture right in your backyard

This is a beautiful home listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Outside are some cool sculptures and a Sputnik crash site display. Inside you’ll enjoy rotating art exhibits and some access to the home as it was years ago. There is no admission. A great place to visit.

have been really impressed by the quality of the exhibitions the RWAM has had over the past few years. definitely worth a visit! friendly staff too 😁

A beautiful Victoria Period home is the setting for the Art museum. No charge, but donation accepted. Beautifully decorated for Christmas. Some unusual and attractive art displays , stunning chandelier , and interesting history of the house and its many owners. Friendly staff.

Beautiful Holiday decorations throughout the mansion, along with other artwork in the attached museum. And of course "Sputnikfest" in September each year.

I really enjoyed this museum. Learning the history of the mansion was very interesting. The art collection is very nice. I was very excited to come across a Stuart Davis and a Warhol piece!!! Very friendly staff. A must visit when in the area!

Great Art! Great Mansion! Wonderful Staff! One of the USA's best hidden gems.

Here is a good museum. One of its claim to fame is the fragment of the Russian spacecraft Sputnik was found on the sidewalk in front of the museum. We enjoyed looking at the artwork from this museums collection. It's a free museum. Plenty of parking in street. The interior part of the house such as the woodwork and stained glass windows itself are stunning.

The Rahr West Art Museum is currently hosting an exhibit of Frank Lloyd Wright's residential interior design work. The museum has a permanent collection of art, and a large hall is used for temporary exhibits, such as this one. The Wright exhibit consists of photographs of original Wright architectural drawings of some of his most notable home designs. Some of the elements were a part of the Bernard Schwartz House, in nearby Two Rivers, Wisconsin. Also included in the exhibit is a line of furniture that Wright designed in the mid-1950s for Heritage-Henredon. The line of furniture was placed on display at the Merchandise Mart in Fall of 1955 and was revolutionary for its time. The line never went into production. Wright died in 1959, ending a career that spanned seven decades that influenced American architecture in the 20th Century and continues to influence design to this day. The exhibit continues on display until August 4.

I love this museum, the architecture and historical value of this building is incredible. I love coming here during the winter months for the Christmas displays, they are absolutely breathtaking. My mom started taking me here when I was 5 years old, and it is still a place I cherish to this day. They have community events and also have a month for the YAC (Young Artist Community?) that displays local highschools art pieces selected from around the county. This place is truly a hidden gem in Manitowoc.

The Rahr West Art Museum is flawless and stunning and the architecture of the house alone is worth the visit! The museum helps to host Sputnikfest in Manitowoc, and it was at that time that I finally decided to see Rahr West in all of its glory! The whole bottom floor was an exquisite exhibit that was showing off local artists' work on large tapestries. Some of the pieces were so unique, I wish I could have taken them home! Once you enter more of the upper floors of the house itself, it's breathtaking. Again: the architecture is absolutely gorgeous. There are themes to the various rooms with exhibits, some having an antique library, lots of older furniture, figurines, china and of course creepy a** dolls. Nightmares beside, each exhibit was well worth seeing for yourself. The grounds are always well maintained and ever since my first visit, I find myself returning every couple of months to see what new talented artists are featured, and to just bask in the glory that is.