Benjamin Church House (Shorewood, Wisconsin) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Benjamin Church House
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| Location | Parkway Drive, Estabrook Park Shorewood, Wisconsin |
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| Built | 1843-1844 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000059 |
| Added to NRHP | February 23, 1972 |
The Benjamin Church House is a very old and special home. It was built a long time ago, between 1843 and 1844. A skilled carpenter named Benjamin Church built it. This house is also known as the Kilbourntown House. It was built in a place called Kilbourntown, which was a small settlement.
Kilbourntown was on the west side of the Milwaukee River. In 1846, Kilbourntown joined with two other settlements. These were Juneautown and Walker's Point. Together, they formed the city of Milwaukee. Today, Milwaukee is the biggest city in Wisconsin. Many people believe the Benjamin Church House is the oldest house still standing in Milwaukee.
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What Makes This House Special?
This house was built in a style called American Greek Revival. This means it looks a bit like ancient Greek temples. It has four tall, fluted columns at the front. These columns are called Doric columns. The house also has a balanced design inside.
When you walk in, you enter a living room. Behind that is a dining room, and then a kitchen. There are also bedrooms on each side of the house. This style was sometimes called Greek temple style.
The Church Family Home
For about 40 years, this house was home to Benjamin F. Church and his family. Benjamin was a carpenter and builder. He arrived in Milwaukee in 1835. He also held several local jobs. His wife, Pamelia Hall Clement, was from New Hampshire. They raised their children here, including Hannah, Ann, Charles, John, and Susan.
The Binzel Family Takes Over
In 1884, the Church family sold the house. A man named George Binzel bought it. George was a bookkeeper. He later became an assistant secretary at the Valentin Blatz Brewing Company. George was one of several brothers who came to Wisconsin from Germany.
In 1900, George lived in the house with his wife, Rosa. Their children, Louise, Paul, Albert, and Clarence, also lived there. At that time, the house's address was 501 Fourth Street.
Saving a Piece of History
The Binzel family sold the house in 1922. After that, the house faced problems. It eventually went to the city because of unpaid taxes.
Recognizing Its Value
In the 1930s, people realized how important this house was. They saw it as a valuable piece of history. They wanted to save it for future generations. The house had special features, like bricks made from local "Cream City" clay. It also had hand-cut wooden beams.
In 1936, the house was carefully measured and drawn. This was part of a project called the Historic American Buildings Survey. At that time, its address was 1533 North Fourth Street.
Moving and Restoring the House
The house was saved through a program called the Works Progress Administration (WPA). In 1938, it was moved to Estabrook Park in Shorewood, Wisconsin. This park is just north of Milwaukee.
After the move, the house was restored. It was filled with furniture from the 1800s. These items were provided by the Wisconsin Society of The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America.
Visiting the House Today
Today, the Benjamin Church House is also known as the Kilbourntown House. The Milwaukee County Historical Society takes care of it. You can visit the house on Sunday afternoons. It is open during June, July, and August. Guides are there to give tours and tell you about the house's history.
