Inaugural Statewide Downtown Open House Event

MADISON, WI. April 4, 2016—The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s (WEDC) 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, theatres, 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: http://www.antigo-city.org/

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

Ashland: http://www.visitashland.com/

• 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: http://pioneerexpresscrandon.com/userfiles/file/PIEX_160208_Vol_30No_43.pdf

• 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: http://www.walworthbusiness.com/statewide-open-house/

• 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: http://www.walworthbusiness.com/statewide-open-house/

• 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: http://www.downtownfdl.com/open-house.html

• 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: https://www.facebook.com/events/1666047896980787/

• 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: http://www.lacrossedowntown.com/

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

Marathon City: http://marathoncity2020.com/

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

Mayville: http://121893.wix.com/mainstreetmayville

• 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: http://www.plymouthwisconsin.com/index.html

• 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: http://prairieduchien.org/?q=visitors/events#MAY

• 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)
• 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)

Wabeno: http://townofwabeno.org/FCEDP%20News%203.10.pdf

• Arts Emporium & Essenhaus
• Barrier Free Boardwalk
• Big Easel Gallery & Bistro
• Crystal Bell Inn & Spa B&B
• Wabeno Logging Museum
• Wabeno Public Library
• Complementary Activities: Historic Walking Tour

Wausau: https://www.facebook.com/events/939306639472315/

• CVA Building
• First Presbyterian Church
• First UU Church
• Historic East Hill Homes Tour
• Marathon County Historical Society
• River District Antiques
• John’s Church
• Paul’s
• Stephen Lutheran Church
• Shepherd and Schaller
• Then and Now Photography
• Wausau Club
• Woodson House
• Yawkey Museum
• YWCA

About the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) leads economic development efforts for the state by advancing Wisconsin’s business climate. WEDC nurtures business growth and job creation by providing resources, technical support and financial assistance to companies, partners and communities in Wisconsin. WEDC has four focus areas: business and industry development, economic and community development, entrepreneurship and innovation and international business development. Together with more than 600 regional and local business development partners, it represents a highly responsive and coordinated network. Visit www.inwisconsin.com or follow WEDC on Twitter  @_InWisconsin to learn more.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.

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