Property Record
165 E PULASKI ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Franciscan Publishers Building |
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| Other Name: | Franciscan Publishers Building |
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| Reference Number: | 2323 |
| Location (Address): | 165 E PULASKI ST |
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| County: | Brown |
| City: | Pulaski |
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| Year Built: | 1941 |
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| Additions: | 1962 |
| Survey Date: | 2010 |
| Historic Use: | industrial building |
| Architectural Style: | Art Deco |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | Levi A. Geniesse |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Franciscan Publishers Building |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 12/14/2020 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 8/14/2020 |
| 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, Division of Historic Preservation-Public History. Previously surveyed in 1975. The original block was built between 1940-41 and the wing added in 1961-62. The printery was in business until 2001. 2010: Faced with brick, this structure consists of two wings; a three-story wing to the west and a one-story, eastern-extending wing; both portions of which rest on a raised basement. Built between 1940 and 1941, the west wing features a central entry with a replacement glass door and a wide stone surround. Within the surround and around the doorway are thirteen, inset painted tiles that depict a number of religious images among which include the papal crown, keys of the kingdom, the white eagle (national symbol of Poland) and the images of Sts. Mathew, Mark, Luke and John. Above the tiles is raised, metal lettering which reads #28;FRANCISCAN PUBLISHERS.#29; Above the doorway is a rectilinear panel of brickwork, within which tall-and-narrow, glass-block windows and a pair of sash openings are located. A carved statue of St. Francis of Assisi rests atop a stone column that rises between the sections of glass block. Regularly placed, double-hung sash windows are located throughout all four elevations of this block. The eastern-extending wing, which was added between 1961 and 1962, is twelve bays in length; each bay of which is delineated by a plain brick pilaster. Aside from the bay adjoining the main block--which features a standard-sized entry door along the first level--the remaining bays each consist of a series of four narrow windows along both the basement and first-floor levels. An historic photo of the building, as well as a review of the original plans, indicate that the original windows were all two-over-two, horizontal pane sashes; only the third floor retains the originals at this time. Statement of Significance This main block of this structure was built in 1940-41 and was originally known as the Franciscan Printery. The printery was established on the premises in the summer of 1907, after Fr. Francis Manel, O.F.M., concluded that Wisconsin Poles were without #28;a good religious periodical written in their own vernacular.#29; With just Franciscan Friars and Fathers as laborers, the first issue of Miesiecznik Franciszkanski--the Franciscan Monthly--was produced out of the monastery. By the late-1930s, the business had expanded to a point that required a new structure for the sole purpose of printing. In 1940, Green Bay architect Levi A. Geniesse drew up plans for the building and dedication occurred on 14 April 1941. In 1957, and in order to better reflect the activities of the friars, the name was changed from the Franciscan Printery to Franciscan Publishers. Four years later, they had again outgrown their quarters and a two-story addition was constructed to the east. The printery continued in business until closing in 2001. The structure stands largely vacant; however, the Franciscan Friary Archives are located in a few rooms on the building's second floor. |
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| Bibliographic References: | Original plans for the building (1940) are on file at the Franciscan Friary Archives, Pulaski, WI. "Franciscan Publishers & Printers, 1907-2001," Prepared by the Franciscan Friars, Pulaski, WI. Copy on file at the Franciscan Friary Archives, Pulaski, WI. "Franciscans to Build Printery," Green Bay Press-Gazette, 8 July 1940, page 19. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |