The Breathtaking Victorian Mansion In Wisconsin You Must Visit This Year
By Ben Jones|Published February 08, 2023
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Ben Jones
Author
Ben Jones is at heart an adventurer who delights in inspiring others. A former reporter and photojournalist, he explored towns large and small as a Wisconsin correspondent for USA Today. He later became a lead photographer and senior copywriter for an award-winning destination marketing agency, before founding Boldland Creative, a company that produces photography, video, and other content for travel destinations. Jones has completed photography and content projects in more than 15 states and when he’s not looking through a camera or at his Macbook you’ll find him exploring the world’s lakes and forests.
In the 1800s, lumber and mining barons were the kings of Wisconsin, and in the state’s new cities, they built castles of wood. While the lumber and mining booms are long over, many of these stately homes remain and in the far northern reaches of the state, you’ll find one of the biggest of these old castles. It’s called Fairlawn Mansion and it’s arguably one of the most beautiful houses in Wisconsin. Here’s what you need to know to pay this grand old home a visit.
The Fairlawn Mansion was built for the family of a mining and lumber baron. Martin Pattison, his wife Grace, and their six children lived in the stately home.
No expense was spared in the home’s construction. The mansion was completed in 1891 at a cost of $150,000 – that’s the equivalent of nearly $5 million today!
The Pattison family lived in the Queen Anne Victorian house until 1920 – it later became a children’s home for about four decades. Today it’s a museum.
Tours are offered of the 42-room, four-story home year round and visitors are allowed to stroll the grounds. There’s also a lively annual ice cream social and concert held at the Fairlawn that takes place each summer.
Fairlawn Mansion’s tours depart hourly from the Carriage House Gift Shop. Learn more about visiting this special home on the Fairlawn Mansion website. If you’re considering a getaway, Superior has a lot of great attractions – including a spot for a majestic beach hike.
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