Paine Art Center and Gardens facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Paine Art Center and Arboretum
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Paine Art Center
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 Location in Wisconsin
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1410 Algoma Blvd., Oshkosh, Wisconsin |
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| Area | 14.7 acres (5.9 ha) |
| Built | 1927 |
| Architect | Bryant Fleming |
| Architectural style | Tudor Revival; Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals; Tudor Gothic |
| NRHP reference No. | 78000152 |
| Added to NRHP | December 1, 1978 |
The Paine Art Center and Gardens is a special place in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It is an old estate with a beautiful mansion and lovely gardens. You can visit public art galleries and amazing botanic gardens here. The whole area is about 3 acres and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is a very important historical site.
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History of the Paine Estate
The Paine Mansion was built for Nathan Paine and his wife, Jessie Kimberly Paine. Nathan was a very successful businessman in the lumber industry. In 1925, they asked Bryant Fleming, an architect from New York, to design their estate.
The Paines wanted to create a place that showed off amazing architecture, furniture, art, and natural beauty. They planned for it to be open to everyone for learning and cultural events.
Building the Mansion
Construction of the mansion began in 1927. It was designed in the Tudor Revival style, which looks like old English homes. The outside of the mansion was finished by 1930.
However, in 1932, the Great Depression started. This was a very difficult time for the economy. The Paine Lumber Company faced big problems, and all work on the house had to stop.
Opening to the Public
The Paines were able to return to their project in 1946. They set up a special non-profit group to own and manage the estate. This group would make sure the estate was used for public benefit.
Nathan Paine passed away in 1947. Jessie then took charge of finishing the work. The property finally opened to the public in 1948. Jessie continued to be the museum's president until she passed away in 1973 at 100 years old. It's interesting to know that the Paines never actually lived in the mansion themselves.
Exploring the Paine Art Center
The Paine estate is now a historic house museum with an art gallery. It is surrounded by large, beautiful gardens.
Inside the Mansion
The house is filled with incredible art and items. You can see French paintings from the Barbizon school and American paintings. There are also sculptures and fancy wooden decorations. The mansion has beautiful Persian rugs, tapestries, and collections of English and American silver and china.
The Paine Center often has new art shows and special programs. These programs teach visitors about old architecture, art, and nature.
The Amazing Gardens
The estate's gardens are designed like twenty different "outdoor rooms." Each area has its own special look, from traditional to modern styles. They are home to thousands of different plant species. This makes the gardens a living botanical garden, a place where many kinds of plants are grown for study and display.
The Paine Art Center and Gardens is located at 1410 Algoma Boulevard in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday throughout the year. There is a small fee to enter.
See also
- List of botanical gardens and arboretums in Wisconsin
- Index: Gardens in Wisconsin
