Please join us for our annual tour. And spread the word. Advanced tickets are available now at the following places.
To preview the sites, go to the heading NEWS, and drop down Newsletters. Scroll through the lastest newsletter to see the sites.
Location: 1147 West Boulevard Racine, Wisconsin
Join us for a bit of history when notable Racinians interred at Mound Cemetery will come to life as they are played by eight actors. Racine Theatre Guild will be presenting scripts written by Margo Drummond. Complete with period costume, they will give us a taste of what life in Racine was like during the Civil War. Mary Waid, Lecturer with the University of Wisconsin Parkside, has put together this highly anticipated performance. Learn also about some of the characters’ accomplishments during this era of unrest and tragedy.
Note: this meeting is held the last Monday of August so members can purchase tickets for the Tour of Historic Places. (see upcoming events)
UPCOMING EVENTS – PLEASE ADD TO YOUR CALENDARS
ANNUAL TOUR OF HISTORIC PLACES – Sunday, September 24, 2023 12:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Seven buildings to be open to the public. Tickets available soon.
ARCHIVES OF DEKOVEN – Monday, November 6, 2023
John Magerus will present a history of the DeKoven Center
A CIVIL WAR CHRISTMAS – Monday, December 4, 2023
An evening of remembrance and music presented by Gary Alexander
Our tour this year is titled “A Stroll Down Memory Lane.” It will feature eight historic places in Racine.
Please save the date. And come back to our webpage for more information soon.
Your help is important and we are hoping you will support us this year by volunteering, donating, or placing an ad in the souvenir booklet.
Please call 262-634-5748 if you can help.
Speaker: Pete Sisak
Topic: The Zahn’s Building and its People
Location: The Women’s Club (Maresh-Meredith Funeral Home, annex), xxx Lake Avenue, Racine WI
Printable Meeting Notice: April 3, 2023 Meeting Notice
Pete Sisak is a member of the Zahn’s family, and will present their history in Racine, with photographs and mementos that visitors may pick up handle.
Speaker: Pippin Michelli
Topic: How About North Beach?
Location: The Main Project and Cafe, 1014 State Street, Racine, WI
Printable Meeting Notice: March Preservation Racine Membership Meeting
Preservation Racine President Pippin Michelli has put together a wonderful presentation on the history of the North Beach area of Racine. You’ll learn about the erosion of the lake shore that was caused by early construction along Lake Michigan and about some of the people whose businesses and dealings contributed to this debacle. There was a bit of skullduggery (imagine that) involved also. You’ll want to learn all about it.
Thank you to Janet Carter for discovering and recommending a new venue for this meeting. It’s Deontrae Mayfield’s Main Project and Café on State Street, across the street from the old Dania Hall. There’s parking on the north side of State Street, as well as, in the public lot across the street. The café is located at the front of the building. The café opens at 5:00 PM for those people who would like to try their menu before our meeting. Beverages and snacks will be available for purchase. We encourage you to support our host.
Our Tour of Historic Places is planned for Sunday, September 25, 2022 (last Sunday in September). The theme this year is An Eclectic Collection, and the tour will include the new apartments at the old Horlicks Industrial Plant, and another apartment at the old Gold Medal Plant. Another previously industrial site is the former First Class Seats premises, which is now a beautiful bed and breakfast. Houses on the tour include two beauties on College Avenue and a third equally beautiful house on Wisconsin Avenue, and the public building this year will be St George Serbian Orthodox Church on State Street. In addition, Jim Mercier will be displaying part of his collection at the church. A wonderful mix with much to see and discover!
Tickets include entrance to three houses, three former industrial or commercial premises, and one church, and an exhibit at the church. Prices are $20.00 on the day of the tour, or $15 in advance.
Advance Ticket Outlets:
- Borzynski’s Farm and Floral Market, 11600 Washington Avenue, Sturtevant
- Milaeger’s, 4838 Douglas Avenue, Racine
and 8717 Highway 11, Sturtevant - Miller’s Flowers, 219 Sixth Street, Racine
- O & H Bakeries, 4917 Douglas Avenue, Racine
and 4006 Durand Avenue, Racine
and 5910 Washington Avenue, Racine - Personal Touch Flowers by Julie, 5445 Spring Street, Racine
- Racine Heritage Museum, 701 Main Street, Racine
- Uncorkt, 240 Main Street, Racine
- Wilson’s Coffee & Tea, 3306 Washington Avenue, Racine
Day of Tour Tickets
- Horlicks Industrial Plant, 2200 Northwestern Avenue
Join us!
Speakers: Carol Burow Gianforte, Jim Mercier, Helen Horlick Pugh
Topic: A Return to Kiddieland
Location: Living Faith Lutheran Church, 2915 Wright Avenue, Racine, WI
Printable Meeting Notice:
Remember Kiddieland, the well-loved amusement park near Horlick Dam in Racine? Perhaps it was before your time (1950s and 1960s). Either way, you’re in luck, as Carol Gianforte and Jim Mercier will present its story with slides and memories. Helen Horlick Pugh, daughter of Kiddieland’s owner-operators will join our presenters with additional slides and memories. This presentation also functions as a sneak-preview of one part of a presentation series planned for the Golden Rondelle theater in 2023.
Parking is available adjoining the church on the wouth and west sides. Entrance from the south parking lot, with an elevator if needed to the lower level fellowship room. Light refreshments will be served ahead of the meeting.
Speaker: Debbie Yale
Topic: Lost Architectural Treasures
Location: The Lee Room, Racine Public Library, 75 Seventh Street, Racine, WI
Printable Meeting Notice: Meeting Notice
Some years ago, Preservation Racine presented a talk on some of the many mansions and other noteworthy buildings that were lost to posterity through razing, fires, and other disasters. Our historian, Debbie Yale, has researched these lost treasures and updated the list with more of their stories, and she has added other buildings that also met a sad fate.
Please note the change of meeting day (this meeting is on Tuesday, June 7). This is because the program is being presented in conjunction with the Racine Public Library. Please enter through the north east lower-level doors. The Lee Room is on the first floor. Parking is free after 6:00 pm.
Speaker: Gerald Karwowski
Topic: The Story of a Passionate Racine Collector
Location: St Edward Church, 1401 Grove Avenue, Racine
Printable Meeting Notice: Meeting Notice
Additional Information:
We are pleased to have Gerald Karwowski as our guest speaker for the April Membership Meeting. Gerry retired after a 30-year career at the J. I. Case Company and has served as a Racine Landmarks commissioner and a trustee of the Racine County Historical Society. He has written numerous books and newspaper articles about Racine’s past and has entertained hundreds of groups with his presentations on Racine history, as well as being featured on the American Pickers television program.
Speaker: Pippin Michelli
Topic: Finding Essential First Information
Location: Littleport Brewing Company, 214 3rd Street (Wisconsin Avenue and 3rd Street)
Printable Meeting Notice: Meeting Notice
Additional Information:
After a number of requests by Preservation Racine members, we are very pleased that our President, Perette (Pippin) Michelli has agreet to contact a series of meetings on the methods to garner the history of buildings. Our first meeting will present the first thing every researcher needs: to get the legal information. This is prerequisite for locating the property in the tax records, register of deeds, and historic maps. After this, we’ll take a look at a few significant building styles to show how they add to the information about the original property owners. This will be a multiple choice quiz-game, with shout-out answers.