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Places Along the Way Archive

Not just for the birds!


A bird carving hangs over the entrance to the Zahn House.

Birds chirp outside my window today as I write about accomplished folk artist Albert Zahn. A retired farmer who built an exotic looking poured concrete house in 1924, Zahn took up wood-carving as a hobby and filled the property, which he named "Bird Park" with bird figurines. Zahn's whimsical site has been carefully restored by new owners, proud to preserve the eccentric vision of one of Wisconsin's most noted folk artists.

His story echoes those of many other folk artists, ordinary people who often find their artistic muse late in life. The Wisconsin Historical Society Museum opened an exhibit Person-to-Person this week featuring more than 100 Wisconsin-themed art works. If you enjoyed the creative talents of Albert Zahn, see what other Wisconsin artists have produced.

More photos and information about Bird Park.


:: Posted on April 12, 2005
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