Woodbine Mansion, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

Built in 1906 in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, Woodbine Mansion was the country estate of Frederick Pabst, Jr., son of Captain Frederick Pabst, founder of the Pabst Brewing Company. The estate was one of the most extensive in the Northwest with over 1,000 acres on the shores of Lake Oconomowoc, as well as additional acreage nearby. It was established as a stock farm and flourished for many years as a horse and livestock breeding operation.

The residence, designed by Max Fernickes, a prominent Milwaukee architect, was Gothic, of the Tudor period. Highly unusual and noteworthy as one of the best examples of concrete work of the time, this large home was, with the exception of the roof beams, built entirely of reinforced concrete. In all of the rooms, the ceiling and walls were not originally covered up, but, rather, were plastered and appropriately colored and decorated.

In 1913 Mr. Fernicke was again brought in to design a significant addition to the main house. The Hayden Company of New York City and Rochester, New York was hired for a complete redecoration of the house. The firm designed and handcrafted magnificent oak paneling and cornices, elaborate mantle pieces, and the substantial staircase that graced the entrance to this extraordinary home. The Hayden Company also supplied Indiana limestone, fine marbles and exquisite lighting fixtures, fountains, even the new leaded glass windows and doors that gave such grace and dignity to the newly enlarged and renovated home.  The Hayden Company also had other prominent clients as George Eastman, F.W. Woolworth, Frank A. Seiberling and architects such as McKim, Mead and White and George B. Post & Sons.  The firm's projects went on to include the National Gallery of Art, the Museum of the City of New York, the Folger Shakespeare Library and the Berg Memorial Room at the New York Public Library.

The concrete construction so heralded one hundred years ago actually hastened the demise of this grand family estate. With utilities needing upgrading, and the only access to pipes and conduits being through walls of solid concrete, the Pabst family made the difficult decision to build a new home on the property, thereby preserving these extraordinary interiors for use by another generation of collectors.

The Conservatory had an amazing curved limestone entrance, floor to ceiling arched French doors and windows, marble flooring and curved marble staircase and fountain, as well as a solid wall of Indiana Limestone.  Overall the Conservatory is 12'x31'.

The Living Room had a 6' deep x 21' long fireplace alcove, Oak paneling with concealed door, Gothic arched leaded glass windows and doors, arched door with screen and storm doors, carved limestone mantel with etched copper panel.       The dining room was 20'x32' with oak paneling from the Hayden Company, pilasters and concealed doors.  A huge carved fireplace flanked the center of a window wall surrounded in limestone window surrounds.       The great hall had a huge limestone arch with a massive stone mantel with coat of arms behind it.  Oak paneling also covered the walls - slightly arched doors.  A carved oak balcony overlooking the room with an orchestra screen and trophy case.  The leaded glass windows spanned 20' in this room.             The study had a glass enclosed display case above the marble mantel surround - a bay window area with tiled seat - floor to ceiling bookcases wrap the room     Gothic arched wide windows and doors as well as a classic built-in adorn this room.   The paneled upper stair hall had a Grueby tile floor - removed meticulously.                 This incredible limestone spiral staircase is also available and ready to be installed into a new home or building site.       All floor plans are available - these architectural features have all been meticulously removed and salvaged - for any questions feel free to call us at 1-888-233-9678 or email at:  mail@oldegoodthings.com