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HARLEY-DAVIDSON MUSEUM®

In 2003, Menomonee Valley Partners (MVP) purchased the former Morton Salt facility at the southeast corner of Sixth and Canal Streets. The 3.8 acre brownfield was a gateway to the Valley, making it a priority site to redevelop. This site and three adjacent properties were sold to the Harley-Davidson Motor Company for the world’s only Harley-Davidson Museum®. MVP’s investments in this property were recouped when the property was sold.

 
Morton Salt company on the Menomonee River
Harley Davidson Museum on the Menomonee River

In 2006 Harley-Davidson unveiled designs and broke ground for the Harley-Davidson Museum. Opened in 2008, the 130,000-square-foot Museum development houses Harley-Davidson’s permanent collection, archives and temporary exhibits, as well as event space, gift shop, MOTOR® Bar and Restaurant, and the Can Room. This created 100 new jobs and an impressive gateway to the Valley. The 20-acre museum site is encircled by a riverwalk, a great complement to the Hank Aaron State Trail. History now roars to life at the Museum with 350,000 visitors annually from around the world.

Visitors walking the riverwalk loop at the Harley-Davidson museum
Harley-Davidson Museum site in 2004, before development

2004

Harley-Davidson Museum site in 2015, after development

2015

A depiction from 1879 of where the Harley-Davidson Museum sits today. The bridge to the left is about where 6th Street is today.

A depiction from 1879 of where the Harley-Davidson Museum sits today. The bridge to the left is about where 6th Street is today.

Harley-Davidson Museum at night

Photo: Visit Milwaukee

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