Milwaukee Soldiers Home (Old Main) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Milwaukee Soldiers Home |
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| Native name English: Old Main |
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The Milwaukee Soldiers Home
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| Location | West Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| Nearest city | Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| Founded | 1867 |
| Built for | United States Veterans |
| Original use | Recuperation of Civil War soldiers |
| Restored | 2020 |
| Restored by | Alexander Company |
| Architectural style(s) | Victorian |
| Governing body | U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Owner | Government |
The Milwaukee Soldiers Home is a very special place in the United States. It was built a long time ago to help soldiers who fought in the American Civil War. It is one of only three such "Soldiers Homes" that are still standing today.
This important building is recognized as a National Historic Landmark. This means it's a place that has great historical value for the entire country. The grounds also include 24 other buildings. These are all part of the "Northwestern Branch, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers Historic District."
A Home for Heroes
The Milwaukee Soldiers Home was finished in 1867. It was created to help soldiers recover after the Civil War. This was a time when many soldiers needed a safe place to heal. The home gave them a place to live and get better.
Over the years, the building had a few different names. It was known as the National Asylum for Disabled Soldiers. It was also called the National Home for Disabled Soldiers. These names show its purpose: to care for veterans.
Saving a Piece of History
After many years of helping veterans, the main building became empty in 1989. It started to fall apart and was even planned to be torn down. But many people believed this historic place was too important to lose.
In 2011, a group of people started a big effort to save it. They worked hard to get the building recognized as a National Historic Landmark. This special title helped protect it. In 2019, a company was hired to fix up the building. The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) also helped by providing money for the repairs. Thanks to these efforts, the Milwaukee Soldiers Home was restored in 2020.
