Property Record
217 N WASHINGTON ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Kusterman Bros. Stationary Shop |
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| Other Name: | VANDER ZANDEN DIAMONDS; Vander Zanden Jewelry |
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| Reference Number: | 2236 |
| Location (Address): | 217 N WASHINGTON ST |
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| County: | Brown |
| City: | Green Bay |
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| Year Built: | 1882 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 19862022 |
| Historic Use: | retail building |
| Architectural Style: | Commercial Vernacular |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
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| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | Photo code #2: 75BR-13/21,22 Excellent building in excellent condition. Has cut stone window hood molds with incised scroll decoration. Intact stone decoration ornaments the corbelled section above the center two of the second floor windows. This ornament consists of a wide stone lintel with incised decoration identical with that found on the hood molds adjacent to it. Two semi-circular cut stone panels with a floral ornament done in a raised design appear above over the center two windows and both are ornamented with voussoirs with keystones. Above this is a second stone lintel with the date 1882 incised and above this is the roof parapet. This parapet shows signs of having been extended vertically and of having been restored at a later date. The first floor display window has been altered at a later date and now features side pilasters, kick plate, and a splayed entrance door, all clad in green marble. Above the later display window is a wide multi-paned transom. The interior of the building is notably intact and includes the original tin ceiling and what is probably the original ailse of separate cabriole-legged glass and wood display cases. Although further research is necessary to determine both the original design of the building and the extent of later remodelings, enough remains of the original fabric, especially above the first floor transom, to make this one of Green Bay's better early commercial vernacular buildings. In addition, later remodelings and restoration have been done in a respectful and sensitive manner so that the current building actually represents the fruits of several periods of design activity. The significance of the interior further enhances the building as it is, if not the original, at least a very early interior surviving with a great degree of [historic material] unmatched in other Green Bay commercial buildings of the same vintage. Green Bay Intensive Survey Phases 2, 3 & 4 |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Plaque on building front. (B) J. H. Beers, Commemorative Biographical Record of the Fox River Valley, Chicago, 1895, p. 22. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |