CHARLES ALLIS ART MUSEUM
The Charles Allis Art Museum was originally the home of Charles Allis, former president of the Allis-Chalmers Corporation and his wife Sarah. Very active in the Milwaukee community and with keen collecting instincts, the couple amassed a unique art collection that was generously bequeathed to the public along with the home to "delight, inspire and educate." Completed in 1911 the Tudor-style mansion, designed by noted Milwaukee architect Alexander Eschweiler, is intact with original furnishings and the collection spans more than 2,000 years.
On permanent view in the Allis home are 19th century French and American paintings, Chinese and Japanese porcelains, Renaissance bronzes, Japanese netsuke, and much more. Some of the highlights in the collection include works by Rosa Bonheur, Winslow Homer, and several fine examples of 19th century French Barbizon works. The oldest paintings in the house are those attributed to Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472-1553) who in his time was referred to as "the outstanding representative of German Protestant painting."
The Charles Allis Art Museum is one of the few such ensembles preserved intact in its original form and some items in the collection are the only known examples of their kind in existence. To complement this collection, the Charles Allis Art Museum holds several changing exhibitions each year which feature the work by Wisconsin artists.
In 1998, the community enhanced the Allis gift by contributing $1.4 million for the construction of the Margaret Rahill Great Hall. Designed by Uihlein/Wilson Architects, the Great Hall triples the space available for Museum programming, community use and private rentals.
The Charles Allis Art Museum is a rich cultural institution that serves the entire Milwaukee community. Museum exhibitions and programs celebrate the rich variety of cultures found in our city to ensure that we provide a welcoming and engaging environment for all members of our community. With strong private and public support, and ongoing help from the Friends of Charles Allis organization, the Museum continues to grow and flourish.