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Summary
Frederick Pabst House
2000 West Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, Milwaukee County
Architect: Ferry & Clas
Date of Completion: 1892
Milwaukee's outstanding residential landmark, the Frederick Pabst House, stands as a reminder of the grandeur of the Gilded Age. The house was one of over fifty mansions constructed between the years of 1870 and 1900 along the verdant boulevard once known as Grand Avenue, where Milwaukee's leading families lived in Victorian luxury and comfort.
The house is arguably one of the great works of architects George Bowman Ferry and Alfred Charles Clas. Abandoning the showy ornamentation typical of Victoria-era homes, Ferry and Clas created a distinctively dignified and elegant residence in the decorative style that is referred to as either Flemish or German Renaissance Revival.
The symmetrically planned front elevation is ornamented with tan pressed brick. Also symmetrically designed, the dazzling interior boasts master ironwork and woodwork, stained glass windows and a variety of rich materials, including mahogany, ebony, birch, oak, marble, and onyx. The residence was wired for electricity, plumbed for nine bathrooms, and had a modern heating system with 16 thermostats; all systems were relatively recent innovations in the year of the home's construction. The property originally included a glass conservatory, a stable and a servants' residence.
Along with Blatz, Miller and Schlitz, the Pabst Brewing Company was a major Milwaukee brewery. As president of the Pabst Brewery, Frederick Pabst not only contributed to Milwaukee's reputation as the beer capital of the world, but also helped develop the growing city's economic, social and cultural life. His founding of the Pabst Theater was one of many of such efforts.
In 1908, following the death of Pabst and his wife, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee purchased the property for use as the residence of the Archbishop. It remained in use by the Archdiocese until 1975. In 1978, a preservation group now known as Captain Frederick Pabst Mansion, Inc. was able to buy the house, saving it from being replaced by a parking structure. This group did much to restore the building, inside and out. Today the building is in excellent condition, boasting original furnishings, ornate wall coverings and Pabst's collection of rare art.
The Captain Frederick Pabst Mansion is now a historic house museum, with tours available to the public.
Property Details
| Criteria | Person,Architecture/Engineering |
|---|---|
| Area Of Significance | Architecture,Industry |
| Period of Significance | 1875-1899 |
| Architectural Style | Late Victorian,Other |
| Architect | Ferry and Clas |
| Resource Type | Building |
| Historic Use | Single Dwelling |
Resources Within The Property
| Contributing Buildings | 2 |
|---|---|
| Contributing Sites | 0 |
| Contributing Structures | 0 |
| Contributing Objects | 0 |
| Non-Contributing Buildings | 0 |
| Non-Contributing Sites | 0 |
| Non-Contributing Structures | 0 |
| Non-Contributing Objects | 0 |
Designations
| Historic Status | Listed in the National Register |
|---|---|
| National Historic Landmark Listing Date | Apr 21, 1975 |
| Historic Status | Listed in the State Register |
| National Historic Landmark Listing Date | Jan 1, 1989 |
State & National Registers of Historic Places
The State Register and National Register recognize buildings, sites, districts, structures, and objects that are significant in national, state, or local history. The State Historic Preservation Office in conjunction with the National Park Service maintains the list for Wisconsin and makes the data available to the public for research and education.
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2000 W Wisconsin Ave
75000073
Located in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County
Pabst Mansion Re-listed in the National Register of Historic Places at the National Level of Significance
Thursday, May 08, 2025
The Wisconsin Historical Society announces the re-listing of the Pabst Mansion in the National Register of Historic Places at the national level of significance on April 23, 2025.
1584 North Prospect Avenue
00001045
Located in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County
