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Henry & Marie Harnischfeger House

Coordinates: 43°02′21″N 87°57′25″W / 43.03912°N 87.95694°W / 43.03912; -87.95694
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Henry & Marie Harnischfeger House
Henry & Marie Harnischfeger House in 2020
Location3424 W Wisconsin Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53208
Coordinates43°02′21″N 87°57′25″W / 43.03912°N 87.95694°W / 43.03912; -87.95694
Built1905
Built forWisconsin industrialist Henry Harnischferger
Original useHome
ArchitectEugene R. Liebert
Architectural style(s)German Renaissance Revival
Governing bodyWisconsin Historical Society
OwnerRetrovision LLC

Henry & Marie Harnischfeger House is a German Renaissance Revival style mansion completed in 1905. The home was built for Wisconsin Industrialist Henry Harnischfeger.[1][2] In 1991 the City of Milwaukee gave the building a Historical Designation.[3]

History

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Example of German Renaissance Revival Architectural elements seen on the front/east side of the building

The building was designed by architect Eugene R. Liebert and completed in 1905. The building is an example of German Renaissance Revival style: the builder was Strachota Builders. The building was locally designated a historic building locally designated: 2-15-1983.[1] The Harnischfeger House was built on Grand Avenue in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The street is now called Wisconsin Avenue.[4]

During WWII the property was majorly remodeled to make what was then just another Old House into dormitory style accommodations for dozens of men coming into Milwaukee to work in the local factories. The grand staircase was replaced with something that could be found in an old School Bldg. The upper rooms were cut up and showers installed. A 3rd floor ballroom was cut into many smaller rooms also. Plumbing pipes have been thrust through the old ceilings with no regard to the original details. Water entry HAD greatly damaged the house in multiple places, esp the Palm Room at the NW corner of the home. The main entrance of the home originally faced EAST... towards 34th St, (where there is now a 1930's Apt. Bldg) with a long carriage way coming from the east to the current portico. The windows on that side were sealed and covered with 1940s wallboard at this time, making the original entrance disappear. Above the portico, on the second floor was a small chapel for the family. Later, first floor drop ceilings were added, obscuring the details in the ceilings, esp. in the men's parlor (SE corner) The carriage house is long gone. A charm of a house, but little of the original details exist. Major renovations in the early 2020's have brought extensive updates to the property.

Architectural elements

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the building is a 2-½ story, gable-roofed mansion which was built on limestone. There are numerous projecting and receding elements.[5]

The building is 8,810sq ft with 13 bedrooms 5.5 bathrooms and 21 total rooms.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b "3424 W WISCONSIN AVE". wisconsinhistory.org. Wisconsin Historical Society. Archived from the original on 21 December 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  2. ^ "Historic Properties and Districts". city.milwaukee.gov. City of Milwaukee. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  3. ^ "Historic Designation Study Report" (PDF). city.milwaukee.gov. Jschle. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 March 2020. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  4. ^ Weisiger, Marsha. "Henry and Marie Harnischfeger House". SAH Archipedia. Society of Architectural Historians. Archived from the original on 14 May 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Henry Harnischfeger Mansion". LandmarkHunter.com. James Baughn. Archived from the original on 21 March 2016. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  6. ^ "3424 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53208". Realtor.com. National Association of Realtors. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
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