GREEN BAY, Wis. — A coalition of residents, business owners, artists, historians, nonprofit leaders, and community stakeholders has submitted a letter to Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach and members of the Brown County Board of Supervisors calling for greater public involvement in decisions regarding the future of the Neville Public Museum. Signed by community leaders and stakeholders, the letter urges Brown County to maintain the Neville Public Museum as a publicly owned, publicly funded, professionally directed, and creatively independent institution while creating meaningful opportunities for public engagement before major decisions are made regarding the museum’s future. For nearly a century, the Neville Public Museum has served as one of Northeast Wisconsin’s premier cultural institutions, preserving the stories, history, and heritage of Brown County while providing educational opportunities for residents and visitors alike.
“The Neville Public Museum belongs to the people of Brown County,” said State Rep. Amaad Rivera-Wagner.
“Regardless of where people stand on specific proposals, I think we can all agree that decisions about one of our community’s most important public institutions should include the voices of the people it serves. The best ideas do not come from closed rooms. They come from conversations with the community.”
The coalition’s letter calls on county leadership to maintain reliable funding for the museum, complete the search for a qualified executive director, preserve the museum’s mission and creative independence, protect museum space for museum purposes, and create meaningful opportunities for public feedback through listening sessions and stakeholder engagement. The group also asks county leaders to pause major decisions regarding potential partnerships or governance changes until residents, educators, historians, artists, nonprofit organizations, and community stakeholders have had an opportunity to participate in the discussion.
“Public institutions are strongest when the public is invited to help shape their future,” Rivera-Wagner added. “This letter is ultimately about transparency, stewardship, and ensuring that future generations inherit a museum that continues to educate, inspire, and tell the stories of all who call Brown County home.”
The signatories emphasized that the letter is intended to encourage collaboration and community engagement, not to endorse any particular governance structure. Instead, they are calling for a transparent process that allows residents to participate in conversations about the future of one of Brown County’s most valued public assets.
“We’ve listened to local government about the Neville in recent weeks, but it’s time to put the “Public” back in the Neville Public Museum and open the conversation to our community,” said Tarl Knight, owner of The Tarlton Theatre.
“Our community supports a publicly owned, publicly funded, professionally directed, and creatively independent museum. Our arts and cultural institutions are vital to our identity and quality of life, and we owe it to ourselves and future generations to protect them.”
A copy of the letter was delivered to the Brown County Executive and members of the Brown County Board of Supervisors on June 5, 2026. The group has also started a petition, “Protect Our Neville Public Museum”, which can be found here.
