Historical places Wisconsin honor the lives and world-altering events that shaped them, such as homes, structures, districts or sites which highlight unique cultures or lifestyles.
This landmark includes the oldest known remaining fur trade warehouse in the upper Mississippi River valley and the sandstone rock used by Charles R. Van Hise to develop structural geology principles.
Villa Louis
Villa Louis in Prairie du Chien is a National Historic Landmark that provides visitors with an intimate glimpse into Wisconsin family life. Tour the mansion as well as explore other historic structures on site – carriage house, garage, stable, ice house preservation cottage and blockhouse!
Built by Milwaukee architect E. Townsend Mix in 1871, this Victorian Italianate mansion featured indoor plumbing and central steam heating – amenities considered luxurious at that time.
Dousman heirs Virginia and Violet offered the property to the Wisconsin Historical Society as a house museum in the 1930s; however, at that time it seemed too risky a venture. Finally in 1952 they took ownership and initiated an intensive restoration of both house and its collections.
Learn about this important historic site on Wisconsin’s history by attending one of their guided tours or exploring independently. Become a member and get free general admission and special experiences!
Wade House
Wade House provides an intriguing glimpse of Wisconsin’s past. Explore its 1860s stagecoach inn, view vintage carriages and wagons at the Wesley Jung Carriage Museum or witness wood being transformed at Herrling Sawmill.
At one time, Greenbush served as a lively stopover along the old plank road for stagecoach travelers and Wade House was an especially popular gathering place for the rich and famous. Marie Christine Kohler – daughter of founders John Michael Kohler and Ruth DeYoung Kohler – purchased Wade House in 1950 and began restoring it into a historic site.
Today, Wade House’s $12 million expansion, featuring a visitor center and the Wesley Jung Carriage Museum has dramatically altered visitors’ experiences at Wade House. A reproduction omnibus or covered wagon welcomes them as they arrive, underscoring Wade House’s theme of horsepowered economy. Plus, an state-of-the-art 20,000 square-foot carriage museum displays nearly 100 horses-and-hand drawn vehicles!
Stonefield
As soon as you enter Stonefield Historic Site near Cassville, two buildings greet you: one is an imposing light stone edifice that dwarfs another; a reddish-brown house with horse barn attached belonged to Nelson Dewey who served as Wisconsin’s first governor and was an innovator of agricultural development; the latter now stands as an icon representing Wisconsin’s rich agricultural past.
This historic park and museum provides an insightful glimpse into Wisconsin’s past. Explore a re-created farm village from around 1900, tour the Dewey House, or stop in at the State Agricultural Museum to gain more knowledge of turn-of-the-century technology – not to mention how Wisconsin became America’s Dairyland! Visiting will take at least two and half hours due to all there is to see here; Wisconsin Historical Society operates this site and regularly holds special events throughout summer that engage and educate visitors.
Isham Day House
The Isham Day House in Mequon, better known locally as the Yankee Settler’s Cottage, was constructed along an important territorial road in 1816 and still bears much of its original appearance today. It boasts an ingenious structural system which showcases mid-19th-century innovation in building materials, methods, and designs.
This cottage holds historical importance because of its association with one of Mequon’s first Yankee settlements: Isham Day played a critical role in establishing formal government and American institutions within Mequon as early as 1797. Although German settlers also played an essential role in its growth, early Yankee settlers like him played an essential part in creating formal government and American institutions within this community.
Julia and Charlotte Isham inherited Isham’s home, keeping it furnished much as it had been when their brother practiced medicine there in the 1890s. Today their home boasts collections of antique Connecticut license plates, ribbons from turn-of-the-century cat shows and old Victrola records from Isham. While their collection would never make Hoarders, these sisters nevertheless enjoyed collecting memorabilia that preserved their home through generations.
