Waelderhaus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Waelderhaus |
|
|---|---|
| Native name German: Wälderhaus |
|
 |
|
| Location | 1100 W. Riverside Dr, Kohler, Wisconsin |
| Built | 1929–1931 |
| Architect | Kaspar Albrecht |
| Architectural style(s) | Bregenzerwald |
| Owner | Kohler Foundation, Inc. |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
The Waelderhaus is a special building in Kohler, Wisconsin. It is looked after by the Kohler Foundation. Marie C. Kohler built it to remember her father, John Michael Kohler II. It was made to be a meeting place for the Kohler Women's Club and the local Girl Scouts. It also hosted talks and small shows for the public.
Contents
Exploring the Waelderhaus Design
A Unique Austrian Style
This amazing building was designed by an Austrian architect named Kaspar Albrecht. He also picked out all the furniture. The Waelderhaus looks like traditional houses from the Bregenzerwald (Bregenz Forest) area in western Austria.
The main floor has a cozy porch, a living room, and a work room. These areas were made in the old Austrian style. The lower floor has modern things like a kitchen. It also has a dining room and dressing rooms. These rooms are used for people performing in the auditorium upstairs.
What's Inside Each Floor?
The second floor has a traditional kitchen, just like you'd find in the Bregenzerwald. It holds many items that the Kohler family brought from Austria. This floor also has a werk zimmer (work room) and a stube (living room). There is a traditional bedroom and a meeting room for the Girl Scouts. This room is dedicated to Sir Robert Baden-Powell, who started the Scout Movement.
The third floor has an apartment for the building's keeper. It includes two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom. This floor also stores costumes for plays and performances.
Special Details and Features
Inside the Waelderhaus, you can see many beautiful carvings. There is also amazing wrought-iron work and colorful stained glass. You will find Austrian furniture and tapestries, which are woven pictures.
Outside the building, there is a special Nodus Sundial. It is a Vertical declining sundial because it is on a wall that does not face directly south. This sundial shows the seasons using Zodiac symbols. However, it only tells the time from when the sun rises until noon.
History and Use
The Waelderhaus was officially opened on July 26, 1931. For many years, it was a popular place for events.
A Hub for Community Events
Starting in 1944, the building hosted most of the speakers for the Kohler Distinguished Guest Series. Many music and performing arts shows were also held there. This continued until the Kohler Memorial Theater opened in 1957. That theater is located at Kohler High School.
Today, the Waelderhaus is still used for special community performances by the Kohler Foundation. The house is open every day, except holidays. You can take free guided tours to explore this unique building.
Gallery
-
A typical house in Schwarzenberg, Austria
-
Waelderhaus Sundial
