Greenbush, WI. – Wade House, one of the Wisconsin Historical Society’s 12 historic sites and museums, has announced plans to update and improve site infrastructure as part of a multi-phase project that will improve the visitor experience and create a world-class horse arena on the property. Planned updates to existing facilities include a new pedestrian bridge, roof replacements and refinishing the Wade House porch. Construction has begun on a new gravel road that will create a safer access point to the existing horse arena from Center Road, which will initially be used to transport construction equipment onto the grounds. The gravel road will also offer improved drainage and erosion control, and will mitigate flooding on the property.

Wade House will host its annual Carriage Driving Weekend using the existing horse arena facilities on July 16-17, 2022. Following the event, the outdated arena will be demolished to make way for a new facility and support spaces, expected to be completed in 2023.

The new horse arena project was made possible by generous support from the Kohler Trust for Preservation to the Wisconsin Historical Foundation. The Wisconsin Historical Society worked with the State Department of Administration to forge a unique partnership allowing the Wisconsin Historical Foundation to plan and facilitate the project on the state-owned Wade House grounds. Upon completion, project work will be evaluated by the State Division of Facilities Development and will then be gifted to the Wisconsin Historical Society.

About Wade House
Located in Greenbush, Wisconsin, Wade House is a historic stagecoach inn that was operated in the 1850s to serve traffic along the plank road connecting Fond du Lac and Sheboygan. The site tells the story of frontier entrepreneur Sylvanus Wade and his family during the Civil War years. In addition to the inn, the historic site includes the Herrling sawmill, one of the few working, water-powered sawmills of its kind in the nation. Wade House is also home to the Wesley Jung Carriage Museum, which houses the state's largest collection of antique carriages and working wagons. For more information, call 920-526-3271 or visit wadehouse.org.

About Wisconsin Historical Society
The Wisconsin Historical Society, founded in 1846, ranks as one of the largest, most active and most diversified state historical societies in the nation. As both a state agency and a private membership organization, its mission is to help people connect to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing stories. The Wisconsin Historical Society serves millions of people every year through a wide range of sites, programs and services. For more information, visit www.wisconsinhistory.org.