2021 North Point Lighthouse Museum Lecture Series Topics

Sept 8

Dr. Chris Szczesny-Adams
Professor of Art History | Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD)
The Frederick Law Olmsted Legacy in Milwaukee’s Lake Park

American landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted, designed many beautiful landscapes including Milwaukee’s Lake Park, Central Park in New York City, and the Chicago 1893 World’s Fair. To recognize the 200th anniversary of his birth (in 2022), this lecture will address the layers of landscape history at Lake Park and how the Olmsted legacy continues to influence our experience in the park today.

Dr. Chris Szczesny-Adams’ work addresses Midwestern architecture, historic preservation and its contemporary implications, the history of cities and their relation to the concepts of modernism, and contemporary architecture, design and sustainability.

Oct 13

Cheryl Nenn
Riverkeeper | Milwaukee Riverkeeper
170 Years on the Milwaukee River

The first white settlers of Milwaukee found a pristine river, a rich source of sustenance, and vital transportation network for Native Americans. There was summer swimming and winter ice harvesting, but with industrial and residential development, it became a putrid, polluted waterway. After decades of involvement by devoted advocates and concerned voters, the river is recovering. Nenn will join us to talk about the history of the Milwaukee River Basin including its legacy of pollution and habitat destruction, the current state of rivers, and the work to protect and restore the Milwaukee, Menomonee, and Kinnickinnic Rivers to that they can be safely used and enjoyed by everyone in our community.

Cheryl Nenn has been the Riverkeeper for over 18.5 years. As the Milwaukee Riverkeeper, Nenn patrols local waterways, identifies problems in the Milwaukee River Basin, responds to citizen concerns, reviews permits, and helps find collaborative solutions to problems affecting local rivers.

Nov 10

Alan J. Strekow
Author
Cyril Colnik, Milwaukee’s Master Metalsmith

Cyril Colnik is the man whose artistry and technical mastery transformed metal into works of beauty for homes, businesses, and public buildings in Milwaukee. This lecture will include images from Villa Terrace collection as well as examples throughout the Milwaukee area.

Alan J. Strekow is founding member of the Friends of Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum (1990) and was involved in the original exhibition of Colnik’s ironwork at the museum. Strekow is the author, editor and designer of the beautifully illustrated book, Cyril Colnik, Man of Iron.

2020 Series Sponsors:

Landmark Credit Union is Wisconsin’s largest credit union and serves over 300,000 members at over 30 branch locations. As a not-for-profit financial cooperative, Landmark returns profits to its members in the form of better rates and lower fees on a full range of straightforward financial options. By choosing Landmark, members save money, so they have more for the things that really matter.