Inaugural Statewide Downtown Open House Event

Open house event to take place May 14, 2016

MADISON, WI. April 4, 2016—The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s (WEDC’s) Wisconsin Main Street Program is pleased to announce a new collaborative event designed to showcase unique historic and cultural assets of Wisconsin downtowns. With more than 15 communities and 80 sites participating in the event, the public will enjoy the opportunity to visit and explore local attractions, many of which are not usually open to the public.

For one day only, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 14, owners and operators of unique and iconic properties statewide will open their doors to the public for free viewing, tours and interpretive events. Communities large and small and venues old and new, including rooftops, museums, dungeons, forts, churches, theaters, event venues, residential lofts and other properties, will open their doors to Wisconsin residents and visitors free of charge.

With locations across the state, visitors can take advantage of the opportunity to get to know their local community better or plan a road trip to explore new Wisconsin destinations. Many of the participating communities also feature complementary activities for visitors, ranging from local business specials to food and music demonstrations and tastings. A list of participating communities and sites is provided below. Interested parties may also visit www.wisconsindowntown.org/open-house to view an interactive map of participating sites and download additional information on the event.

Participating Communities and Sites

Antigo

Frontier Communications Control Office
Hoffman House
Masonic Meeting Room—Neve’s Furniture Building

Ashland

Ashland City Hall
Ashland County Courthouse
Ashland Historical Museum
Clark & Clark Building
Masonic Temple
Northern State Bank and Vault
Complementary activities: mural walks and biking tours

Crandon

Crandon Public Library
Forest County Courthouse
Forest County Museum
Hotel Crandon Restaurant & Bar
Masonic Hall Vintage Map Display
Vintage Gas Station Garage
Complementary activities: historic walking tour

East Troy

2894 On Main Café
Allan ICS
East Troy Electric Railroad
East Troy House Historic Inn & Tavern
East Troy Shell (tour of cupola and historic photo display)
Kubicki Museum & Heritage Center

Elkhorn

Doris M. Reinke Resource Center
Elkhorn Chamber of Commerce
Friends on the Square
Heritage Hall Military Museum
Holton House
The 1887 Building – Former 1887 Schoolhouse
The Trinity Center – Former Masonic Lodge
Webster House (docent-led tours)

Fond du Lac

1890’s Building
Combined Building (including rooftop)
Original KFIZ Broadcasting Booth
Riverwalk Art Center (guided tours of art center and storage area)
Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
Complementary activities: first farmer’s market of the season (8 a.m. to noon)

Janesville

Carriage Works
Cy-Va (2nd floor)
First Congregational Church
First Presbyterian Church (live music, tours on the half hour, snacks)
Janesville Woman’s Club Association (tours of art gallery)
Land Title
Lincoln-Tallman House
Marshall Apartments (self-guided tours)
Odd Fellows Lodge
One Parker Place
The Venue
Trinity Episcopal Church (guided tours, family arts & crafts activity)
Wisconsin Wagon Building (art studio, sewing studio tours and art demonstrations)

La Crosse

Charmant Hotel
Court Above Main
Eagles Club
Le Chateau
Pearl Street West
Plow Building
Pump House

Marathon City

Open house of recent local revitalization success stories
Pop-up shops on Main Street
Riverside Park Cleanup Event

Mayville

Audubon Inn (boutique LePetite theater showings of Story of the Marsh)
Dodge County Pionier
Historic Ruedebusch Building (vintage wedding gown and apparel fashion show)
Hollenstein Wagon & Carriage Factory Museum
Sweet Ginger
White Limestone School Museum
Complementary activities: photographic scavenger hunt and vintage car collection on Main Street

Plymouth

52 Stafford
Advanced Eye Care
Allechant (vintage lingerie collection display)
Bar-B-Que
Bookheads (local author presentations and book signings)
Cheese Building
Dreams Unlimited Music (live music performances and display of antique/vintage instruments)
Exchange Bank Coffee (display of historic safes and cheese exchange history)
Plymouth Arts Center (Historical Center presentations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Plymouth Historical Society (local history exhibits including cheese heritage, Kohler pottery and Indianhead’s)
Pourvino
Seranya (local artist presentations and craft demonstrations)
Complementary activities: downtown trolley rides and historic Plymouth passport program

Prairie du Chien

City Hall (tours of artworks and archival records – by request)
Crawford County Jail – The Dungeon (guided tours)
Crawford Hotel (30 minute guided tours at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.)
Driftless Edibles (anniversary celebration with food and live music, demonstrations)
Fort Crawford Cemetery (guided tours)
Fort Crawford Museum (commemorative cannon firings)
Holy Trinity Church (guided tours)
Knowlton House (guided tours)
St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church
The Local Oven (local food and treats/sampling)
TRICOR (guided tours)
Villa Louis (reduced rate admission)
Wyalusing Academy (guided tours on the hour)