'Windows Into Wauwatosa' allows a peak into unsung locales

The city is about to experience its first "Windows Into Wauwatosa" event, a chance to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of landmark buildings, stores, churches, schools, businesses and other local venues.

Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m, members of the public are invited to take a self-guided tour of more than 20 places in the community. Maps are available at WaterStone Bank, 7500 W. State St., which is sponsoring the event. Maps also will be available at participating sites on Saturday.

Windows Into Wauwatosa is modeled on the Doors Open Milwaukee event, said Robin Luther, president of the Wauwatosa Neighborhood Association Council, which developed the project. The council represents 28 neighborhood associations in Wauwatosa. Luther said the council is interested in encouraging an expanded knowledge of the community.

The various venues will be open for public viewing, and many will have a docent on site to give tours and answer questions. Many of the sites are historical in nature, but some are contemporary.

At the Medical College, for example, the STAR Center, where medical professionals train and practice their skills using lifelike mannequins or actors, will provide demonstrations, and Fire Station No. 1, in the Village, will have equipment and emergency bays on display, Luther said.

Some of the historical sites include the Milwaukee County Parks Building, which Luther said has fascinating historical displays, the Lowell Damon House, the Little Red Store, the Briggs & Stratton Museum (normally only available to employees) and the Wauwatosa Cemetery Chapel, built in 1852.

The full list of participating venues includes WaterStone Bank, Robertson's Ace Hardware, the Little Red Store, Neimann's Candies, Wauwatosa Fire Station No. 1, Milwaukee Irish Fest, the Wauwatosa Woman's Club, East High School's WPA Works Mural, the Latvian Church, Underwood Memorial Baptist Church, a 19th Century Schoolhouse, the Lowell Damon House, the Wauwatosa Cemetery Chapel, the Briggs & Stratton Museum, the Wauwatosa Police Department, the Wauwatosa Public Works Building, Firefly Ridge Urban Gardens, the Bee Field Station, TOSA Pool at Hoyt Park, the Milwaukee County Parks Building, the STAR Center at the Medical College of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Lutheran College Chapel.