Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum

Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum is a printing service in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, dedicated to the preservation, study, production, and printing of wood type. The museum houses the world’s largest collection of wood type and offers hands-on experiences through workshops, guided tours, and public events. Visitors can explore historic printing equipment, view exhibitions such as *Set In Type*, and participate in printing activities using original presses and tools. The museum serves individuals, artists, educators, and history enthusiasts interested in American graphic design and printing heritage. It maintains a 4.90 rating based on customer reviews.

The museum preserves the legacy of Hamilton Manufacturing, America’s largest and longest-running wood type maker, founded in 1880 by J. Edward Hamilton in Two Rivers. The collection includes over 40,000 square feet of printing history, from raw materials to finished prints, and features tools like a century-old pantograph used to cut type. As a working museum, it offers educational programs, hosts visiting artists, and maintains a store selling prints and newly cut type. The museum collaborates with institutions such as the University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries and engages the public through events like the annual Wayzgoose conference.

The museum is located on 10th Street in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, situated about 0.1 miles from Madison Street and approximately 0.2 miles from Lake Shore Park and the Historic Farm Museum. It lies within walking distance of the Lester Public Library and is near Memorial Drive, a main road in the area.

The museum is recognized for its unique focus on wood type preservation and its role in maintaining a living tradition of hand printing. It is the only museum of its kind dedicated exclusively to wood type, serving as a hub for artists, historians, and educators. Its long-standing history and active programming reinforce its standing as a vital cultural institution in the region.

Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum stands as a distinctive center for the history and practice of American printing, rooted in the heritage of Two Rivers.