Lake Geneva Local History Series
Instructors are all affiliated with Black Point Estate & Gardens
Badger High School Room 605 6:30-7:30PM
$5.00 / class or $25.00 for the 7 Week Series
Spend this winter getting better acquainted with the past. The Wisconsin Historical Society presents a seven week-long series focused on the local history of the Geneva Lake. This program will help participants get a better understanding of the rich and varied history of the region during the grand resort era (1880s-1920s.) Instructors are from the Society’s Black Point Estate and Gardens location. The series includes programs on Black Point Estate, the beer barons that had summer homes on Geneva Lake, historic preservation within Walworth County, as well as programs on the steam yachts and the impact of the Great War on Wisconsin. Classes can be taken separately or as an entire series.
Black Point Estate: A Preservation Success Story
January 17: 6:30-7:30pm
Instructor: Dave Desimone
Historic Preservation is difficult under the best of circumstances. During this presentation, you will learn how Black Point was preserved despite numerous challenges including legal opposition. You will also learn what amazing architecture was lost around Geneva Lake and why historic preservation can be an asset to any community.
Beer Barons of Geneva Lake…and their Milwaukee Neighbors
January 24: 6:30-7:30pm
Instructor: Michael Rehberg
Introduce yourself to the six beer barons of Geneva Lake and the four major brewers from Milwaukee. Learn the difference between ale and lager beer…and the basics of brewing beer in the 19th century in this illustrated presentation. Learn also how the brewers responded to Prohibition.
The Great War: Anti-German Hysteria and Conflict on the Home Front
New for 2018
January 31: 6:30-7:30pm
Instructor: Dave Desimone and Emily Duval
Given Wisconsin’s large German-American population, anti-German hysteria had a significant impact on our State. Learn about the United States’ slow march to war, reasons for staying neutral and our patriotic response once war was declared. This program will look at the national, regional, local and personal responses to the outbreak of war in 1914 and subsequent U.S. involvement in 1917.
Pull Up a Chair….Let’s Take a Walk: Lake Geneva
February 7: 6:30-7:30pm
Instructor: Michael Rehberg
How did Geneva Lake get started? Glaciers…Native Americans…water power…early settlers…prominent citizens...architectural gems…historical mileposts…what makes the city of Geneva Lake special? Walk through 200 years of stories from the comfort of your chair.
Summer Living at Black Point Estate
February 14: 6:30-7:30pm
Instructor: Emily Duval
What was it like to live on a large Geneva Lake Estate during the gilded age? This presentation gives a brief overview of summer life focusing on the Seipp family of Black Point. The Seipps were a Chicago family who built their estate in 1888.
The Golden Era of Steam Yachting: Geneva lake and its Sailors New for 2018
February 21: 6:30-7:30pm
Instructor: Michael Rehberg
Geneva Lake has a long history of pleasure craft on its waters. Introduce yourself to examples of the more fifty, mostly private, steam yachts, popular from the 1870's to the 1930's on Geneva Lake. This program will include details about the boat builders, their owners and their mansions-of course!
They can’t all be Museums: Historic Preservation in Walworth County through Adaptive Use New for 2018
February 28: 6:30-7:30pm
Instructor: Dave Desimone
Historic preservation is a challenging endeavor, but when successfully accomplished, can enrich a community. This program will highlight ten examples of buildings throughout Walworth County that were saved from the wrecking ball through adaptive use. Some of the buildings on this list might surprise you.
Instructor Biographies:
Dave Desimone is the director of Black Point Estate and Gardens. Dave holds a Bachelor’s degree in history from Youngstown State University and a Master’s Degree in Public History from Kent State University. Desimone has held prior positions with the Ohio Historical Society, Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens and the Cleveland Botanical Garden before moving to Wisconsin in 2013.
Emily Duval is the assistant manager and curator of Black Point Estate and Gardens. Emily holds a Bachelor’s degree in history from UW-Milwaukee. Emily joined the team at Black Point as an intern in 2014 and is quickly learning all aspects of the museum field.
Michael Rehberg is a year round Lake Como resident and has been coming to the area for over 50 years. Recently retired from a career in the newspaper industry, Rehberg is now the lead interpreter at Black Point Estate and Gardens. Michael also holds a certificate in Not for Profit Leadership from UW-Parkside.
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