Ten Chimneys offers unique “tour of a lifetime”

ALL TOURS of historic houses give visitors a picture of the past. But Wisconsin’s Ten Chimneys goes one step further, providing an intimate look at the occupants – Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, widely considered the greatest acting team in the history of theatre.

Located just 30 miles west of Milwaukee in Genesee Depot (Highway 83 exit south of I-94), Ten Chimneys is a National Historic Landmark devoted less to bricks and mortar than to the lifestyle of the occupants. It’s called “The Tour of a Lifetime” and it lives up to that billing.

Nestled in the rolling Kettle Moraine area of southeastern Wisconsin, the estate includes the elegant three-story, 18-room main house, a quaint eight-room country cottage, a Swedish-style log cabin used as a studio, a creamery, a greenhouse, barns, stables and other outbuildings.

The Ten Chimneys story began in 1914 when Alfred Lunt received an inheritance from his father, a lumber baron from Milwaukee. He purchased land in Genesee Depot where his family had often picnicked and personally designed the first portion of the main house as a home for his mother and half-sisters. After the Lunts were married in 1922, the house was extensively remodeled and the chicken coop was converted into a cottage for Lynn and Alfred to live in when they weren’t performing.

Most of the renovations and additions to the expansive Ten Chimneys estate took place during the 1930s. After signing a contract giving them every summer off to retreat to Ten Chimneys, the Lunts decided to live in the main house themselves, moving Alfred’s mother and half-sister into the cottage. In 1934, additions were made to the main house, giving it six chimneys. When added to the two chimneys at the cottage, one at the Swedish-style log cabin studio, and one on the working stone creamery, the estate now had a total of Ten Chimneys, inspiring its name.

Almost every room on the property has a theatrical touch, often the product of a prominent scenic and costume designer who spent two years painting murals on the walls and ceilings throughout the estate.

At Ten Chimneys, the focus often turns to objects related to the famous occupants and their friends. First-edition books hand inscribed by friends like Alexander Woollcott and Edna Ferber, hand-made gifts from intimates Helen Hayes and Noel Coward, snapshots with Charlie Chaplin or the Queen Mother and letters from devoted protégé Laurence Olivier are among treasured artifacts. The Lunts retired from the stage in 1960 and spent many years enjoying the retreat they created. Alfred Lunt died in 1977 at 84 and was followed by Lynn Fontanne in 1983 at 96.

Ten Chimneys Foundation was formed in 1996 to save, restore and preserve the estate. After well-researched restoration, the estate was opened to the public in 2003.  The foundation also created the Lunt-Fontanne Program Center to serve as a “Studio for the 21st century, supporting critical education and artistic programs.”

“For much of the 20th century, Ten Chimneys was a home for the arts – literally and metaphorically,” says Sean Malone, president of the foundation. “Ten Chimneys is reassuming its role as an important site for artistic creation, discussion, education, inspiration and leadership.”

Tours of no more than 10 begin at the Program Center. Shuttles take the groups to and from the nearby estate. Offered through November 12 are two-hour Full Estate Tours at $35 and 90-minute Main House Only Tours at $28. Special rates are available for groups of 24 or more. Reservations are recommended for all visitors. Call the reservation line at (262) 968-4110 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Ten Chimneys will be featured on CBS News’ “Sunday Morning” later this year. For additional information, visit www.tenchimneys.org.

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