Horticultural Hall (Lake Geneva, Wisconsin) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Horticultural Hall
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 Location in Wisconsin
Location in the United States
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| Location | 330 Broad St., Lake Geneva, Wisconsin |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Architect | Spencer and Powers; Reinert, Malsch and Baumbach |
| Architectural style | Bungalow/Craftsman |
| NRHP reference No. | 99001220 |
| Added to NRHP | September 29, 1999 |
Horticultural Hall is a historic building located in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. It's a place where people can meet for conferences and events. This hall is so important that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The building was first built in 1911. Its main purpose was to be a meeting spot for professional gardeners. These gardeners worked on the large, beautiful estates nearby. They would gather here to share ideas and talk about their work.
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A Home for Gamers: Gen Con's Early Days
Horticultural Hall played a big role in the history of gaming. In 1968, it became the very first official home for Gen Con. Gen Con is a huge convention for tabletop games. It includes role-playing games, board games, and card games.
Who Started Gen Con?
A famous game designer named Gary Gygax organized the first Gen Con. He is known for co-creating the popular game Dungeons & Dragons. The hall was the perfect place for gamers to gather and play.
Gen Con's Growth and Move
Horticultural Hall hosted Gen Con for many years. It was the main location for the convention until 1978. As Gen Con grew bigger, it needed more space. So, the event moved to the University of Wisconsin–Parkside campus in Kenosha. Even though it moved, Horticultural Hall will always be remembered as Gen Con's first home.
A Historic Landmark
Because of its unique history and importance, Horticultural Hall was officially recognized. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. This listing helps protect the building and its story for future generations.
