Wood type museum needs help moving

TWO RIVERS - People from all over the world travel to Two Rivers to see the world's largest collection of wood type. But now it's in jeopardy.

The building's new owner is forcing the Hamilton Wood Type Museum to find a new home.

One and a half million pieces of wood type fill the 40,000 square feet that make up the Hamilton Wood Type Museum. It's a working museum that's open to the public for workshops. Museum director Jim Moran says that's rare.

"There are not many of these in the world," Moran said. "The idea that we can teach classes and illustrate the art kind of goes back to the opening of the museum in 1999."

That's why graphic designer Andy Dull brought his team here from Grand Haven, Mich.

"It's a lost art. It's a beautiful typography exploration. They have a huge foundry of font here. There's no assignment for designers. Just about being creative," Dull said.

It's not just about art. It's about history and preserving it. James Hamilton made his first wood type back in 1880 - type that would be mostly used for newspaper headlines.

But now it all has to go. The museum had been leasing the space from the building's owner Thermo Fisher, for $1 a year. But earlier this year, Thermo Fisher announced it was moving its operations out of Wisconsin and is now giving the museum 60 days to pack up.

The move will cost about $250,000, and that doesn't include a building.

There have been offers to move to New York, Chicago and even Dubuque, Iowa.

But Moran says the collection will stay here.

Once they raise the money and find a place, they will need a plan. And it will involve a lot of volunteers to take special care of the collection.

Moran refuses to believe the money won't be raised.

So far, the museum has raised more than $100,000. They have 60 days to come up with the remaining $150,000.

For updates visit the Hamilton Wood Type Museum on Facebook.