Property Record
330 BROAD ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Horticultural Hall |
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| Other Name: | HORTICULTURAL HALL |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 66990 |
| Location (Address): | 330 BROAD ST |
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| County: | Walworth |
| City: | Lake Geneva |
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| Year Built: | 1912 |
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| Additions: | 1983 |
| Survey Date: | 1985 |
| Historic Use: | meeting hall |
| Architectural Style: | Craftsman |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Stucco |
| Architect: | Spencer and Powers |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Horticultural Hall |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 9/29/1999 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 7/16/1999 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office. The Horticultural Hall, rising one and one half stories, was built in 1912 by Robert N. Malsch & sons. [B, C]. It features a stucco and board exterior and an asphalt shingled gable roof. The meeting hall has remained intact and in excellent condition with vertical timbers and grouped windows still visible. A kitchen remodeling occurred in 1983. [A]. The Horticultural Hall was the site of Midsummer Fairs dating from 1912 to the 1970s. Currently functions as a meeting and exhibit hall. Maple Park National Register # 05000621 "Circa 1911. Bungalow-Craftsman. Horticultural Hall was built by a local contractor and his two sons. It is a prime example of the Craftsman Style which means the rejection of machinery-made architectural details and which uses only the traditional craftsmanship of wood joinery. The structure, however, is very like the Bungalow Style with a stucco exterior, rustic porch supports and wide eaves and windows grouped together. Note the gable forms too. Inside the emphasis is on exposed beams, rafter ends and stained wood vertical timbering (currently painted to blend with the interior). The main building extends along Broad Street towards the lake with an ivy covered wall that goes on around to encompass a grassy courtyard and lovely summer garden. Wide screened-in arcades run the length of the area within the walls. Several organizations were instrumental in the beginning of Horticultural Hall. The earliest was the Lake Geneva Fresh Air Society, established in 1887 to provide and support the Holiday Home Camp for the underprivileged children of Chicago. In 1905 a forum for gardening information and a social outlet for the gardeners of lakeside estates was organized, called the Gardeners' and Foremans' Association. These two groups worked together and in 1911 formed the Lake Geneva Horticultural Society. A place was needed to hold indoors flower and vegetable shows, educational projects and benefits. Under the leadership of Simeon B. Chapin from New York City, (who summered in Lake Geneva) Horticultural Hall was built. He also donated the land upon which it was built. To raise funds for the project the society incorporated and sold stock. Soon after, in 1915, the Lake Geneva Garden Club was organized. This group also shared the Hall and sponsorship of Holiday Home. A fine horticultural library was installed in the Hall and still remains today. The Gardeners' and Foremans' Association came to a close in 1976. In the meantime, the Geneva Area Foundation had come into being in 1952. Today it is this group that is responsible for all maintaining and scheduling of the Hall. The Lake Geneva Garden Club still helps support the Hall and is represented with three Trustees on the Board." A Walking Tour of Olde Lake Geneva Towne by the Lake Geneva Plaque and Walking Tour Commission, Spring 1993. |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. Steg, Elsie, "Lake Geneva Garden Club, 1963-1988 for Garden Club of America," August, 1984. (Loaned by author). B. "Horticultural Hall," brochure published by the Geneva Area Foundation. C. "Gardeners and Foremens Association Has 50th Birthday," Lake Geneva "Regional News," 10-7-1954. A Walking Tour of Olde Lake Geneva Towne by the Lake Geneva Plaque and Walking Tour Commission, Spring 1993. A Walking Tour of Lake Geneva, WI, Lake Geneva Historic Preservation Commission, 2015. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |