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Having driven and walked by a beautiful brick three story building, looking a little out of place, set back on a beautiful green lawn with plenty of space amid a few high rises and Lucy stores in the middle of Milwaukee, I was curious about a mansion, and having read the historical marker, Emily and I took an afternoon to photograph and visit the Captain Frederick and Maria Pabst Mansion.
Not being much of a drinker, or man who encourages indulgence and over indulgence in others, I am always a fan of history, americana, and architecture, so this was another fun way to feed my inner nerd!
The tour started and ended in the museum gift shop, but I was a little worried about the portability of the various nicknacks offered, and the extra space in my luggage, so the only souvenirs I have from the museum are a large amount of digital images captured on my old road warrior Canon. I did soak up some amazing facts, such as construction of this museum on Grand Avenue lasted for two years and was completed in July of 1892 at a cost of just over $254,000, which included the house, furnishings and artwork. Captain and Mrs. Pabst were big art collectors, filling their mansion with priceless treasures. During the years of the Pabst family’s ownership, the house was the scene of huge parties, a family wedding and both Captain and Mrs. Pabst’s funerals.
The Pabsts’ children sold the house in 1908 to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee who owned it until 1975, selling it to a hotel that was going to tear it down to make room for a parking lot, however, a three-year crusade began and it was spared demolition. The Mansion was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 21, 1975, and much renovation and work to return it to its original glory was and is ongoing. The museum was opened to the public in 1978.
We drank no beer, and although the Mansion was the home of a family founded on the blue ribbon of American beers, the tour was mostly about showing an elegant structure with some very innovative structural designs, many beautiful rooms and artistic features that are only found in a 128 year old rich families' home.
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