HISTORIC SITES
The Milwaukee County Historical Society has historic sites located throughout the County.
These properties, along with the downtown Historical Center, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Each site has independent operating hours, as listed below. Group tours are available at each site and can be arranged by contacting Mary Jo Knapp or completing our tour form.
Accessibility
- Most buildings on the Trimborn Farm tour are accessible to people with disabilities. Surrounding packed gravel drives and lawn may be difficult for those using wheelchairs or walkers. Two wheelchair accessible restrooms are available. The farmhouse has a raised entrance that is not wheelchair accessible.
- The Jeremiah Curtin House is ground level. The door width and ceiling height is not to current ADA standards. Most doors are 33″ wide, only one interior door is 29″. The lawn surrounding may be difficult for those using wheelchairs or walkers.
- The Benjamin Church House is the least ADA accessible. Stair entrances. The lawn surrounding may be difficult for those using wheelchairs or walkers.
- Virtual tours available below – transcription and audio narration offered.
Trimborn Farm
8881 West Grange Avenue
Greendale, Wisconsin 53129
Map
Hours of Operation:
May 1 – October 30, 2024
Trimborn Buildings: Open by appointment for fee-based guided tours only. See the “Group Tours” web page.
Photography permits are required year-round.
If you are looking for information on Photography at Trimborn Farm, please contact us at info@milwaukeehistory.net.
Virtual Tours:
Admission is FREE.
Explore virtually on Clio!
Clio is your guide to the history and culture around you. They have 38,741 historical entries from all across the country and 1727 walking tours, virtual tours of museums, heritage trails, and other curated experiences authored by hundreds of organizations. 156 new entries have been added and 317 entries have been improved in the last 30 days.
Click HERE to start exploring the Trimborn Farm!
Don’t miss the 41st Annual Harvest of Arts & Crafts, on September 7 & 8, 2024.
The History:
Jeremiah Curtin House
West Grange Avenue and South 84th Street
Greendale, Wisconsin
Hours of Operation:
May 15 – October 30, 2024
Open by appointment for fee-based guided tours only. See the “Group Tours” web page.
Virtual Tours:
Admission is FREE.
Explore virtually on Clio!
Clio is your guide to the history and culture around you. They have 38,741 historical entries from all across the country and 1,727 walking tours, virtual tours of museums, heritage trails, and other curated experiences authored by hundreds of organizations. 156 new entries have been added and 317 entries have been improved in the last 30 days.
COMING SOON Jeremiah Curtin House!
The History:
David Curtin, his wife Ellen, and infant son Jeremiah were among a group of Irish immigrants who settled in the old Town of Greenfield in the mid-1830s. With help from a stone mason, David built the first stone house in the Old Town of Greenfield. It was sold to the Trimborn family in 1866 and remained occupied until the 1920s. The Milwaukee County Historical Society acquired the house in 1952 from the federal government, and it was selected as Milwaukee County’s Bicentennial Project in 1976. Funds raised by various community organizations helped restore the site in the late 1970s. It was officially dedicated on the 150th anniversary of Jeremiah’s birth, September 6, 1985.
Kilbourntown House
4250 N. Estabrook Parkway
Shorewood, WI 53211
Hours of Operation:
Sundays, June 23rd through September 29th, 2024
Historic House: 10am – 2pm
Open by appointment for fee-based guided tours only. See the “Group Tours” web page.
*Parking is limited due to Shorewood Farmer’s Market.
Virtual Tours:
Admission is FREE.
Explore virtually on Clio!
Clio is your guide to the history and culture around you. They have 38,741 historical entries from all across the country and 1,727 walking tours, virtual tours of museums, heritage trails, and other curated experiences authored by hundreds of organizations. 156 new entries have been added and 317 entries have been improved in the last 30 days.
Click HERE to start exploring the Kilbourntown House!
The History:
Kilbourntown House, also known as the Benjamin Church House, was built in 1844 by Benjamin Church, a carpenter from New York. Church, his wife and six children lived in the house, which was originally located in the section of Milwaukee known as Kilbourntown. An excellent example of Greek Revival architecture, the house was saved from destruction in 1938 when it was moved to Estabrook Park and restored as a WPA project, The home contains an outstanding collection of mid-nineteenth century furniture and decorative arts. A kitchen herb garden neighbors the home. The house is maintained jointly by the Milwaukee County Historical Society, the Milwaukee County Parks, and the Colonial Dames. Kilbourntown House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
