The Era of Public Enemies invites visitors to revisit the string of Midwest bank robberies that captivated America by experiencing the conditions and circumstances leading to the infamous crime wave and allure of gangsters. Take a seat in an art deco movie theater and experience life behind bars in a dank 1930 jail cell. Learn of the rise of the FBI and structured law enforcement as the feds attempt to take down American gangsters and the booming crime wave of the 1930s. Artifacts on display include John Dillinger's death mask, a Thompson Submachine gun and an art deco back bar from a local yacht club.
The 2008 filming of Universal Studios' Public Enemies transformed downtown Oshkosh into a 1930s Midwestern town, caught in the middle of a great depression and the public enemy era. Relive the transformation of Wisconsin for the 2008 filming of Michael Mann's Public Enemies. In this community-curated section, props and images of downtown, actors, extras and set design will recreate the thrill of those few days of Hollywood in Oshkosh.
The museum will open its original exhibit, "The Era of Public Enemies: A Wave of Crime in a Troubled Time," June 27 – four days before "Public Enemies," the gangster film starring Johnny Depp, Giovani Ribisi, Christian bale & Marion Cotillard opens in theaters. You can visit the Museam website @ Oshkosh Public Museum Website
