bergstrom-mahler museum

Let's be honest, if you're visiting a museum in the midwest that isn't in Chicago, you have to set your expectation bar accordingly. The Fox Valley has a diverse and unique set of niche museums all worth the visit, but probably none to mount a solo cross-country journey for. This is just one of many such museums worth the time and minimal entrance fee, particularly if you time your visit with an opening exhibition or, as we did, when they hosted a traveling glass blowing demonstration which was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our whole family. There are rotating glass art exhibits worth seeing and the paperweight collection is unsurpassed. But, do yourself a favor if you're an out-of-towner and pencil in any number of other niche museums in the area. In a day you can not only see this extensive collection of paperweights, but also visit a great Houdini exhibit (though showing its age) at the History Museum at the Castle, the first house in the midwest powered with hydro-electricity showcasing original and still functioning lights at the Hearthstone House, potentially the world's smallest (and free) museum at the Bridge Tower Museum in Menasha, do some hands-on paper making at the Discovery Center and Paper Museum on the Fox and maybe catch an art exhibit at the Wriston Galleries. Any one of these, to me is worth the time, but couple a few together and Appleton becomes a worthy weekend destination!

Thank you for visiting. We're glad you enjoyed the great views.

Thank you for visiting. We're glad you found Neenah to be a great place to spend the day.

Thank you for making the trip north to experience our museum. Our current, temporary exhibition highlights the work of well-known regional artists. Look for future exhibitions to show work from artists worldwide who are working in glass.

During our visit, the upper floor was closed, so the open areas included an exhibit of contemporary glass art, the paperweights and the German glass collection. The German glass collection is varied and fascinating -- make sure to look for the tumbler with the embedded fly. The paperweights include a hands-on dispaly showing how the millefiori weights are made. My ony caveat is that videos showing the process making the types of glass would have been helpful. The gift shop has a wide array of items in prices ranging from $1--$1800.

Yes, there are paperweights, but they also recently were bequeathed a collection of glass buttons, which were absolutely fascinating to me. I might have been more impressed with the paperweights had I seen them first, but seeing something so small and yet so detailed as these buttons was amazing. They also had some modern glass sculptures that were odd but intriguing. The location of the museum is right on the water and since glass isn't affected by sunlight the way canvases and other art materials are there are lots of windows with great views and natural light. There's no admission fee, but they ask for a donation if you feel so inclined. If I lived there I'd do my holiday gift shopping in their gift shop, they had beautiful and affordable glass for sale.

My wife and I visited the Bergstrom-Mahler Museum in Neenah for the first time recently. Although we had heard good things about it, we found it even better than expected. The specialty is glass paperweights of which they an enormous collection. There is also an exhibit on how the paper weights are made. In addition there is a small but nicely representative collection of early modern European glassware as well as temporary exhibits of contemporary art glass. The building itself, is also very lovely.

My husband is a glass artist, and this museum is filled with glass in all forms! Nice change from your stereotypical museum. When the Corning show is in town, It's a must-see!

If you have an interest in art or glass and how its made great place to go. Contact them in advance to see if you can take a class while there.

I can't imagine why anyone would want to look at paper weights. They do have special displays once in a while. I guess if you are looking for something to do it is inexpensive so you won't have to waist a lot of money on it.

I grew up in Neenah and took advantage of the art classes offered here. They are a unique museum offering rotating displays of all walks of art, and the glass paperweight collection is out of this world!

The permanent collection is well worth a visit. Also there are traveling glass exhibits nicely displayed in a beautiful old mansion on the shores of Lake Winnebago. And once done, you must visit the gift shop for unique and beautiful items.

This is a great stop to see unique paper weights and other artistic creations. Pack a picnic lunch and walk across the street to Riverside Park along the Fox River. You are also within walking distance of lighthouse point, the library, Shattuck Park, and the Library.

This museum is a local treasure. Fascinating exhibits, lovely setting on a lake, wonderful gift shop, and glassworking classes!

If you like glass art, this place is amazing. The museum offers many classes and demonstrations for the young and old. Although the focus is now on glass art, there are always many new pieces to see and the gallery highlights different artists all of the time. The staff cares about the community and involves the students in the surrounding area, as well.