Elmbrook Historical Society
The Elmbrook Historical Society (EHS) is a non-profit educational organization founded to research the history of our area and to collect, preserve and exhibit objects from our past. EHS is an affiliate of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin.
A Brookfield landmark, this stately 1843 Greek Revival Inn once stood at the corner of Bluemound and Watertown Plank Roads. The building was donated to the historical society in 1980 and was moved to its present location in 1981.
Society volunteers have restored and furnished the Dousman Stagecoach Inn with authentic antiques to its stagecoach period of 1857 - 71. Outbuildings have also been acquired and have been fully restored.
The Dousman Stagecoach
Inn museum is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Historic Preservation
Pieces of Our Heritage
The 1843 Dousman Stagecoach Inn is Brookfield’s only National Historic Landmark. It is located at 1075 Pilgrim Parkway, midway between Bluemound and Gebhardt Roads.
Long-time residents may recall when the home was at the corner of Bluemound and Pilgrim Parkway. It was built before Wisconsin became a state.
John Behling, whose family lived in the home for nearly 100 years, gave the building to the Elmbrook Historical Society in 1980. The non-profit organization raised funds to move the home. On June 24, the Elmbrook Historical Society celebrated the 25th Anniversary at the home’s current location.
There’s another property in Brookfield worthy of National Historic Landmark status - Ruby Farms. The farmhouse on Calhoun Road was built about 1860 by one of Brookfield’s early settlers, Jacob Ruby. The Ruby Farm was a working dairy farm for three generations. Ruby Farm's team of horses became one of the most famous six-horse hitches in the US. The horses were sold in 1989.
According to the Historical Inventory of Brookfield, Ruby Farm’s barn with cupola west of the house is one of the best in the Township. The farmhouse and the horse barn are important community landmarks.
The property just south of Bluemound Road on Calhoun Road was sold to VK Development in 2005. Commercial development plans have not been publicly shared.
The city of Brookfield claims Calhoun Road needs to be widened in 2007 to accommodate the anticipated freeway interchange.
Ruby Farms is on the
Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation most endangered properties list.
(for more information - click here)
Guided Tours
Costumed docents lead tours of the home and tell stories about families who lived there. Other features include a special exhibit; carriages and tools in the blacksmith house; a log home once located at Barker and North Avenues; an ice house, smoke house, and school bell from Woodland school.
The Dousman Stagecoach Inn, located at 1075 N. Pilgrim Parkway (between Bluemound and Gebhardt Roads) is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Open May-Oct, First and Third Sundays, 1-4 pm. Fee $4 adults, $1 children, $10 families, $3 Seniors (60 plus).
Advance reservations
requested for group tours. Phone 262-782-4057
Special children’s tours. Phone 262-782-4057
Guided tours for groups. Enjoy a historic tour and a box lunch. Lunch is optional. Call 262 782 4057 for information.
Special
Opportunities for Small Groups
–
Enjoy a
catered brunch in the dining room, followed by a private tour of the Inn.
Consider
holding a meeting amid history at the Inn.
Historic
Setting for Photographs
-
Picture
your special event at the 1843 Inn
Want a historic background for your photographs? Call 262 782 4057.
2008 Meetings / Programs
“10 Chimneys and the Lunts”
“10
Chimneys and the Lunts”
by
Mike Drew
Award Winning Writer, Former Media Columnist – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Monday. May 19, 2008
7:00 pm
Brookfield Park and Recreation Center - Senior Hall
2000 N. Calhoun Road, Brookfield, Wisconsin.
Mike Drew, award winning writer and recently retired media columnist for the
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has "interviewed during his 43 year career
hundreds of celebrities in film, theater, television and popular music." He
will talk about his amazing personal visit and interview with theater icons
Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, one of the most revered acting teams in
American theater history.
Using notes from his interview and extensive research, Mike Drew will
provide insight into this remarkable acting team's career, a career that
influenced American theater for almost 40 years. Stories and observations
about the Lunts gleaned from interviews with stars who knew the Lunts
will be shared. Videos of Lunt's performance and TV interviews will also be
shown.
This fascinating lecture is sure to please history buffs, and theater fans! Plan to attend! Admission is free!
The Elmbrook Historical Society sponsorsa variety of interesting programs on
topics of historic interest for its members and the general public.
These meetings are held on the third Monday of the month during the months
of January, March, May and September at 7:00 pm at the Brookfield Park and
Recreation Center - Senior Hall which is located at 2000 N. Calhoun Road in
Brookfield, Wisconsin. Admission is free.
For more information, please call: (262)782-4057.
Special Events
14th Annual Civil War Days
JPG Civil
War Picture that is attached
Saturday, May 3,
2008 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sunday, May 4,
2008 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Admission:
Adults:
$4.00 / Children: 6-12 years of age:
$1.50
Children Under 6 years of age:
Free
During this two day
event, Confederate and Union soldiers (re-enactors) will be camping
overnight on the grounds of the Dousman Stagecoach Inn. Walk through the
campsite. See the soldiers readying for battle. View a skirmish and
anartillery demonstration. Hear the canons firing. Listen to Abraham
Lincoln' deliver his address.
Thentour the historic
Dousman Stagecoach Inn, the blacksmith shop, the smoke house, and the ice
house. Learn how clothing was made in the 1860s and visit the suttlers
offering for sale a variety of antique goods. View an 1860's style baseball
game and a "style" show.
Enjoy partaking in old-time games. Food and
beverages will be available.
Purchase your “TV Raffle” tickets now!
Win a Sony 40” flat screen high definition LCD television courtesy of
Becker Ritter Funeral Home & Flanners Home Entertainment!
Raffle tickets cost: 1/$10.00, 3/$20.00
first and third Sundays from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Dousman
Stagecoach Inn’s Visitors Center/Gift Shop 1075 Pilgrim Parkway in
Brookfield, Wisconsin
A drawing for the lucky winner will be held on
Sunday, August 3, 2008 at 2:00 pm
in the Dousman Stagecoach Inn’s third floor ballroom
1075 Pilgrim Parkway, Brookfield, Wisconsin.
You do not need to be present at the drawing to win!
Christmas at the Inn
Saturday, December 6,
2008 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sunday, December 7,
2008 12 Noon - 4:00 pm
Take time to visit "Christmas at the Inn" held annually at the
historic Dousman Stagecoach Inn. This year, the Inn will be decorated for
the holidays, and will be brimming with surprises. Sample some of Mrs.
Brown's soup. Enjoy some punch and a delicious assortment of cookies while
listening to festive music performed by the M' Lady Pipers. Purchase cookies
for the holidays at the fabulous "Bake Sale." Bring your children.
Have them listen to stories read by Father Christmas and make a
simple craft.
An Ambitious Task
Two local historians, Jean Stackpole and Stephen Hauser, are co-authoring a book on Brookfield and Elm Grove. Both have written many other stories and books about the area. Stackpole is a retired teacher and journalist. Hauser teaches at Marquette University and is a well-known presenter of our past. They last collaborated on Following the Trail published by the Elmbrook Historical Society in 1998.
The new book will feature the evolution of the Elmbrook area between 1840s and today. It will tell how people who settled in our area lived and worked. There have been many changes since our communities were founded. As Stackpole described it, “The topic of transportation will be from stagecoaches to SUVs and housing will be from cabins to mega mansions.” Stackpole and Hauser intend to include many previously unpublished photographs.
Check the photographs your family has collected over the years in the Elmbrook area setting. If you have photographs and memories you’d like to share, please contact the Elmbrook Historical Society, 262 782-4057.
Brookfield: A Fine and Fertile Land
An
Early History of Brookfield Township, Waukesha County, Wisconsin
by Thomas Ramstack. This two-volume set is available at
bayernimmigrant@aol.com for
$32.
Education
Society members have written several books about the area’s history and actively support local communities. Proceeds benefit the Elmbrook Historical Society.
Following the Trail, by Stephen K. Hauser and Jean R. Stackpole (is available at local libraries).
"The Dousman Stagecoach Inn: Legacy Restored, by Marion Bruhn $7.00
Recipes From Days Gone-by Collected With Love
250 recipes submitted by Elmbrook Historical Society Members and Friends $8
The History/Tour Book of Brookfield & Elm Grove - 5th Edition
The history (with photographs) of Brookfield and Elm Grove. Use this informative book for a self-guided auto tour. $6.95
Elmbrook Historical Society Officers
President
Sheila Christiansen
1st Vice President
Lynda Casper
2nd Vice President
Patricia Basting
Secretary
Judy Taylor
Treasurer
John Schaefer
A text description of the Inn and its history.
Directions to civil war
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Ruby Farms
Links to some of our affiliated historical societies and other area happenings
Elmbrook Historical Society
P.O. Box
292
Brookfield,
WI 53008-0292
262-782-4057
or e-mail:
ehs_53008@wi.rr.com
ehs_53008@wi.rr.com
April 27, 2008
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