Oshkosh Public Museum

People of the Waters
In celebration of their 90th anniversary, the Oshkosh Public Museum embarked on a museum-wide makeover. The first project: their centerpiece gallery, which greets visitors as they walk in the front door. Partnering with the museum staff, we redesigned this space, making the region’s early cultural history engaging and relevant for visitors.

At a Glance

  1. Complete exhibit design, AV production, fabrication, and installation
  2. Custom artifact mounting system for changeable displays
  3. Multisensory interactives that advance cultural understanding 
  4. Design and installation for National Register of Historic Places building

Small space, big punch.

Despite its compact size at just 2,000 square feet, People of the Waters combines physical and digital worlds to give visitors an experience they can’t get anywhere else. As they touch the walls of a life-like bark lodge, walk over an archaeologist’s dig pit, and hear about artifacts directly from Menominee tribal elders, discovery and curiosity are encouraged, allowing the learning process to continue long after museum hours.

A new view on artifacts.

By featuring artifacts in a custom and changeable mounting system, we created the rare opportunity for Oshkosh visitors to see historical objects from all sides. Up close, accompanying touchscreens allow them to dive into the meaning of each artifact, while the display as a whole elevates individual objects to works of art. 

A new view on artifacts.

By featuring artifacts in a custom and changeable mounting system, we created the rare opportunity for Oshkosh visitors to see historical objects from all sides. Up close, accompanying touchscreens allow them to dive into the meaning of each artifact, while the display as a whole elevates individual objects to works of art. 

In it for the long haul.

Our collaborative relationship with the Oshkosh Public Museum began in 2014—and it’s still going strong. Since completing People of the Waters, we’ve moved on to re-imagining the other galleries in the building. We’re excited to continue our partnership with the Oshkosh team and earn a reputation as honorary locals. 

Project Gallery

Rave Reviews:

  • “Split Rock Studios was able to take all our ideas and develop them into an amazing story to share with our visitors. The team is very creative, fun to work with, and most importantly, showed a willingness to learn the subject they are creating and designing.”

    Melissa Bender, Director of Education and Programming, Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center

  • “Every aspect of the exhibits has been produced to a very high level of detail and finish, and to a person, the SRS team has been a pleasure to work with.”

    Brad Richie, National Park Service

  • “Please extend our sincere appreciation for the painstaking, methodical, and detail-oriented work that went into the restoration of our dioramas. They have played a central role in the museum for over 75 years, and your team really breathed new life into them. Future generations will benefit from your expertise and care.”

    Denise Young, Ed.D, Executive Director, Bell Museum

  • “We (the SMSC) are forever grateful for you helping us tell our story through Dakota eyes, especially at a time when perhaps our people didn’t have a voice.”

    Andrew Vig, Member, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC)

  • “Split Rock Studios seemed to genuinely enjoy learning our history so they could help us share it in the best possible way. I can’t begin to tell you how many compliments we get from visitors about the quality and content of the exhibits. We are extremely happy with the results.”

    Sandy (Lampereur) Orsted, Treasurer, Belgian Heritage Center

  • “I have already recommended Split Rock to others in my field who are looking to add to or expand their exhibits. We had a truly wonderful experience working with everyone at Split Rock. Everyone is so creative, has lots of energy and a fun sense of humor. Keep up the amazing work you do!”

    Margaret Gazdacka, Facility Supervisor & Naturalist at Red Oak Nature Center

  • “The installation crew was so easy to work with. They were professional, detail-oriented, personable, and left the space cleaner than when they arrived.”

    Kacie Carlson, Northwest Regional Naturalist, MN DNR

  • “Split Rock Studios was a pleasure to work with and we are thrilled with the end result of our collaboration.”

    Jill Hill, Executive Director, River Legacy Foundation

  • “We wouldn’t think of looking elsewhere.”

    Anne Klenke, Adventure Tourism Director, Visit Lake Charles

  • "10/10. Split Rock did an outstanding job throughout the entire project from design to implementation! I would highly recommend them."

    David Laskey, Director of Enterprise Efficiencies and Facilities Management, Second Harvest Heartland

  • "Working with Split Rock’s team was like working with a long-time friend - easy, comfortable, and supportive! Organized, detail-oriented, and resourceful, their working style meshed well with our museum staff’s and supported a strong, confident, and mutually productive partnership. We whole-heartedly recommend Split Rock Studios!"

    Teresa Armour, Exhibitions Manager, Museum of York County

  • "Split Rock Studios have gone above and beyond to help us implement interactive exhibits into our Dragoon Trace Nature Center. From the initial project discussions and design work, to the completed creation, Split Rock Studios employees are beyond compare in customer care and product quality."

    Kate Zimmerman, Director, Ringgold County Conservation

  • "The people, visitors, artists, and primarily educators and children are thrilled by the quality of the design, content, and images in the exhibits. Even professional translators and academics have come to us and expressed their appreciation for what we did. I truly appreciate your cultural sensitivity, depth of knowledge, and patience as we worked with the smallest of details to make sure the message was clear and direct. ¡Muchas gracias!"

    Pablo Llerandi Román, Natural Resource Education Specialist, US Forest Service, El Yunque National Forest

  • "Split Rock Studios heard what we wanted and did a great job putting those ideas into the design, construction and install. Always accessible for questions and quick to respond to changes or issues. Gotta love common sense and they had it. SRS was one of only two contractors that we didn’t have to push or prod to get our project on track. They are an honest, hardworking company with great staff."

    Lonnie Hebl, Executive Manager, Oxbow Park & Zollman Zoo