Wade House Historic Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wade House Historic Site |
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Old Wade House
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 Wade House Historic Site
Location in Wisconsin
Wade House Historic Site
Location in the United States
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| Location | Sheboygan, Wisconsin, United States |
| Area | 48 acres (19 ha) |
| Established | 1953 |
| Governing body | Wisconsin Historical Society |
The Wade House Historical Site, also called Old Wade House, is an exciting open-air museum in Greenbush, Wisconsin. Imagine a place where you can step back in time! This special site is managed by the Wisconsin Historical Society and covers about 240 acres.
At Wade House, you can explore nine main buildings. Three of these buildings are so important that they are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The most famous building is the Sylvanus Wade House, which was built way back in 1848–1849.
During the summer, you might see people dressed in old-fashioned clothes. These "historic interpreters" help you learn what life was like long ago. They make history come alive!
Contents
Discovering Wade House History
How Wade House Became a Museum
The main Wade House building was carefully fixed up between 1950 and 1953. This amazing work was done by the Kohler Foundation. After it was restored, the house was given to the state of Wisconsin. It then became a state park, so everyone could visit and learn.
The Wesley W. Jung Carriage Museum
In 1968, a special museum called the Wesley W. Jung Carriage Museum opened its doors. This museum is full of old vehicles that were pulled by horses or even by hand. You can see all sorts of carriages, sleighs, wagons, and even old fire wagons! It's a fantastic collection that shows how people traveled and worked long ago.
Rebuilding the Sawmill
The land where the Robinson-Herrling sawmill once stood was bought in 1960. Later, between 1999 and 2001, the sawmill was rebuilt right where it used to be. This means visitors can see how wood was cut and prepared in the past.
A New Welcome Center
In 2013, a brand new visitor center opened. This large building, about 30,000 square feet, also includes the modern carriage museum. It's the perfect place to start your adventure at Wade House.
Important Buildings at Wade House
Many buildings at Wade House tell stories of the past. Three of them are especially important and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Sylvanus Wade House: This is the main house, built in 1849. It's a beautiful example of Greek Revival architecture. It was the home of Sylvanus Wade, who helped create this historic area.
- Charles Robinson House: Built in 1855, this house is also in the Greek Revival style. It was once home to Sylvanus Wade's oldest daughter and her husband. It's sometimes called the Butternut House.
- Robinson-Herrling Sawmill Farmhouse: This timber-frame farmhouse was built in 1847. The sawmill itself was rebuilt on its original spot from 1999 to 2001. It shows how important sawmills were for building homes and towns.
Other interesting buildings include the Dockstader Blacksmith Shop, where metal was shaped, and a Smokehouse for preserving food. There's also a Chicken Coop, a Sheep Pen, and a Stable, showing what a working farm was like.
See also
Images for kids
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The historic Sylvanus Wade House.
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The Charles Robinson House, also known as the Butternut House.
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The Robinson Carriage House.
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The Butternut Cafe building.
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The rebuilt Robinson-Herrling Sawmill.
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The Dockstader Blacksmith Shop.
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The Smokehouse at Wade House.
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The old Interpretation Building, now re-purposed.
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The new Visitor Center, opened in 2013.
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Inside the Wesley W. Jung Carriage Museum.
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The Carriage Pavilion, previously the carriage museum.
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The Chicken Coop.
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The Sheep Pen.
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The Stable.
