History Of The Museum
Avrum Chudnow
The idea for the Chudnow Museum of Yesteryear was conceptualized by the late Avrum M. Chudnow. Mr Chudnow, a passionate artifact collector and lawyer, inherited this fascination of artifacts from his father, who was a junk and scrap peddler. He graduated with a law degree from Marquette law School in 1937 and worked a variety of different odd jobs before joining the U.S. Army to serve in World War II. While working these different odd jobs and during his time in the Army, Mr. Chudnow began collecting different memorabilia. Mr. Chudnow continued this tradition of collecting memorabilia, until his death in 2005.
"My hope that preserving these objects will serve as a reminder of the fascinating lives led by the people who established our community."
- Avrum M. Chudnow
"My hope that preserving these objects will serve as a reminder of the fascinating lives led by the people who established our community."
- Avrum M. Chudnow
The Building
Museum building c.1950 -Marquette University Archives
The building which sits at 839 North 11th Street in Milwaukee was built in 1869 in the Italianate architect style common to Milwaukee of the time period, and was originally the residence of Daniel Schultz and his family. Albert Seeboth later became the owner and remodeled the building in 1906 by adding and front porch, a 3rd floor and changing the look to a German Revival style. Before Mr. Chudnow obtained the property, it was the doctor's clinic and home of Dr. Joseph J. Eisenberg. In 1966, Mr. Chudnow bought the house. The building served as his law office and as a base for his management company. As Mr. Chudnow's extensive artifacts collection expanded, he began to display pieces in his office. In 2009, the museum board determined the office on 11th Street would be remodelled exclusively for the Chudnow Museum of Yesteryear.