Entry No. 27 — the Milwaukee file — filed under: folk-art environments
Dr. Evermor's Sculpture Park
Located two hours west of Milwaukee, this legendary scrap-metal fantasy park is centered around the Forevertron—a 50-foot-tall, 300-ton retro-futuristic spaceship built from 19th-century Edison dynamos and Apollo 11 scrap. The surrounding grounds feature dozens of steampunk contraptions, giant metal insects, and a 70-piece scrap-bird orchestra.
The story
You don't just pull off Highway 12 into a roadside attraction—you step into a 300-ton retro-futuristic ascension vehicle built to propel a fictional Victorian scientist into the heavens. Assembled in Sauk County starting in the 1980s, the centerpiece of Dr. Evermor's Sculpture Park is the Forevertron: a 50-foot-tall tower constructed from 19th-century Edison dynamos, industrial salvage, and scrap metal recovered from Apollo 11 testing equipment.
Demolition contractor Tom Every constructed the park under his alter ego, Dr. Evermor. Rather than treating these structures as mere folk art, Every framed the central rig as a functional magnetic launchpad designed to carry his spirit into the atmosphere. Surrounding the tower are dozens of copper and steel contraptions, including giant metal insects and a musical dragon standing guard along the perimeter.
What sets the grounds apart is the staggering density of industrial relics saved from scrap heaps. Whole sections of the field are occupied by a 70-piece 'Bird Band' constructed from repurposed trumpet bells, boiler pipes, and discarded machine valves, frozen in mid-performance beside the Sauk Prairie weeds.
What it's like
Pulling up to the site along Highway 12 near Baraboo, you'll find a wide open lot bordering fields of unpainted iron and copper. There are no glossy gift shops or scripted audio tours—just grass paths cutting through massive rusted gears, high-voltage equipment, and towering scrap sculptures. Double-check operating hours before making the two-hour drive west from Milwaukee, bring cash to slip into the donation box sitting at the base of the main launchpad, and watch your footing around exposed metal corners.
The move: Take a day trip out to Sauk County, walk through the 'Bird Band' section made of repurposed industrial trumpet bells and pipes, and drop a cash donation into the box at the base of the massive launchpad.
- 📍 Sumpter
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: S7703 US Highway 12, Sumpter, WI 53591
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- The House on the Rock — Combine Dr. Evermor's scrap-metal launchpad with Wisconsin's ultimate maximalist environment just 26 miles away in Spring Green.
- Mama Rosa the Troll — Pair Evermor's scrap-metal creatures with a 24.5-foot troll sculpted entirely from discarded city timber.
- Morris Pratt Institute — Follow Dr. Evermor's cosmic ascension vision with a visit to the world's only Spiritualist college back toward Milwaukee.
Good to know
Where is Dr. Evermor's Sculpture Park located?
It is located at S7703 US Highway 12 in Sumpter, Wisconsin, near Baraboo in Sauk County—about a two-hour drive west of Milwaukee.
What is the Forevertron built out of?
The 50-foot-tall, 300-ton structure was built using 19th-century Edison dynamos, industrial salvage, and scrap metal from Apollo 11 project testing.
Is there an admission fee at the park?
Admission relies on visitor support; you can drop a cash donation directly into the box installed at the base of the Forevertron launchpad.
How should I plan my trip from Milwaukee?
Always confirm current operating hours before setting out on Highway 12, as open times can vary.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Atlas Obscura · Official site · milwaukeemag.com · redaroundtheworld.com
last checked: 2026-07-21