Holiday Pass opens three landmarks

Historic mansions recall festive holiday celebrations

THE CHARM AND ELEGANCE of holiday seasons as they were celebrated in Milwaukee more than a century ago can be experienced now in three of the city’s most historic mansions.

At the center of the celebration is The Captain Frederick Pabst Mansion, the Flemish Renaissance mansion built by sea captain, beer baron and philanthropist Frederick Pabst. Nationally known for its holiday displays, the mansion at 2000 W. Wisconsin Ave. this year presents “Christmas Memories of the Past” through Jan. 8, 2006.

And, for a complete taste of holiday spirit and the elegance of Milwaukee’s past, visitors can purchase a $10 Holiday Season Pass, allowing them to enjoy the Pabst and two other celebrated landmark mansions. With the pass, visitors can tour the Pabst Mansion, the Charles Allis Art Museum and Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum for one low price.

Inspired by holidays long ago, all of these historic mansions are decorated for the season, according to their unique architectural styles. Passes are available at all three locations.

Captain Frederick Pabst Mansion

The Pabst Mansion is located just west of the Marquette University campus, close to downtown Milwaukee. Again this year, local designers, businesses and residents have elegantly transformed the mansion’s rooms. On weekends, live music adds to the ambience.

At the mansion, visitors are greeted at the Grand Staircase with a 15-foot Christmas tree. On the first floor, each room (including servants’ areas) is individually decorated. Tour the Ladies Parlor, Music Room, Dining Room, Captain’s Study, Butler’s Pantry, and the Servant’s Dining Room and you will be completely immersed in the holidays as they were celebrated along Milwaukee’s “Mansion Row.”

The beautiful decorations continue on the second floor, with a special exhibition in Elsbeth’s Room. “Dear Santa, Please Bring Me…100 Years of Children’s Toys, 1870-1970” features boys and girls toys ranging from dolls to games to cast iron banks. A recently added section of the exhibit showcases the American Girl doll series.

The Dickens Dinners at the Pabst Mansion, courtesy of Bartolotta Restaurants, will be held this year on Dec. 15, 16, and Dec. 19 through Dec. 22. Reservations for these special events can be made by calling Bartolotta's at 414-258-7885.

This season, visitors also will be able to enjoy historic paintings from the Pabst family collection, which were returned to the mansion earlier this year.

The Pabst Mansion’s holiday hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday p.m. and noon-4 p.m. Sunday. Christmas admission is: Adults $9, Seniors/College Students $8, Children 6-17 $5, Children under 6 admitted free. Phone 414-931-0808 or visit www.pabstmansion.com for information.

Charles Allis Art Museum

The Charles Allis Art Museum, 1801 N. Prospect Ave. (corner of Prospect Ave. and Royall Pl.), is located on Milwaukee’s east side. Completed in 1911 by the founding family of the Allis-Chalmers Corp., the Tudor-style mansion was designed as to be both a residence and a museum. The addition of the Margaret Rahill Great Hall in 1998 gave the site space for private rentals and special events.

In addition to the elegant decorations adorning the dining room, parlors, and sweeping staircase, the Charles Allis features special exhibitions during December. Through Dec. 3, luminous landscapes of the vanishing farmlands of the Midwest by Kathy Hofman are on display.

From Dec. 11-Jan. 29, 2006, “Wisconsin Master Series: Lucia Stern” is on display. Born in Milwaukee, Lucia Stern (1895-1989) was a largely self-taught painter and sculptor. Her work evolved over a 50-year period and encompassed decoupage, drawing, painting, and sculpture, with an ever-increasing emphasis on three-dimensional works.

Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum

Just blocks from the Charles Allis and overlooking Lake Michigan is Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum, 2220 N. Terrace Ave. The Italian Renaissance-style villa, designed and built in 1923 by the founding family of the A.O. Smith Corp., Villa Terrace features fine and decorative arts dating from the 15th-18th centuries, wrought-iron masterpieces by Cyril Colnik, and a formal garden.

The formal garden, built on the bluff that slopes sharply downhill to Lake Michigan, was the inspiration for “Children’s Art in the Garden.” On display through Dec. 11, the exhibit was created by students from Milwaukee Public Schools and the Children’s Outing Association.

From Dec. 18-Feb. 5, 2006, Villa Terrace features “Material Witness: Quilts by Nancy E. Kimpel,” Kimpel is strongly influenced by what she sees in photographs and in Mother Nature. One striking series of quilts depicts scenes of Milwaukee with historic and modern buildings juxtaposed.

Hours for the Charles Allis and Villa Terrace are 1-5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is Adults $5, Seniors/Students $3, Children admitted free. Phone 414-271-3656 or visit www.cavtmuseums.org for additional information.