March 19, 2024

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Villa Louis Behind the Scenes

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Event:
Villa Louis Behind the Scenes
Start:
April 27, 2018 10:30 am
End:
April 28, 2018 5:00 pm
Category:
Organizer:
Wisconsin Historical Society
Phone:
608-326-2721
Updated:
April 19, 2016
Venue:
Villa Louis
Phone:
608-326-2721
Address:
Google Map
521 N. Villa Louis Road, Prairie du Chien, WI, 53821, United States
Villa Louis Behind the Scenes

Villa Louis Behind the Scenes lets you check out the historic the Villa Louis National Historic Landmark, right on St. Feriole Island along the Mississippi River in Wisconsin’s second oldest city of Prairie du Chien, from top to bottom. “Behind the Scenes” at Villa Louis offer extended tours of the mansion, giving visitors a glimpse into the life of a historic house museum. Highlighting the care and upkeep of a unique object from the Dousman collection, tours include visits to the nooks and crannies of this historic and beautiful restored mansion.

The Villa Louis mansion itself is a Victorian Italianate style home, constructed of Cream City brick. It boasted modern indoor plumbing and central heating, quite a luxury for the early 1870s (Wi-fi wouldn’t come along for many years.) It was remodeled and restored in 1885 and again in the 1930s when family members used the mansion as a boarding house school.

Tours are April 27-28, 2018, as well as a Villa Louis Behind the Scenes event focusing on art October 19-20. You can also check out their War of 1812 re-enactment July 21-22, which recreates the Battle of Prairie du Chien – the only active battle in Wisconsin during that war. The Carriage Classic takes place September 7-9, bringing you back to the days of the Dousman family’s trotting horse operation, the Artesian Stock Farm. It’s always a fascinating look at history here.

Prairie du Chien lies just north of where the Wisconsin River flows into the Mississippi in one of the most beautiful areas of Wisconsin. Wyalusing State Park is just to the south, and you’re right along the Great River Road. U.S. 18 and Highways 27, 35, and 60 all bring you there. Watch for some construction and detour work along Highway 35 heading into town, though!

For full Villa Louis information, check out their website!

Villa Louis Behind the Scenes Address:

521 N. Villa Louis Road
Prairie du Chien, WI 53821
(608) 326-2721
Website