The Pabst Mansion
Completed in 1892, the Pabst Mansion is a testament to America's Gilded Age. Built by famed beer baron Captain Frederick Pabst, and designed by George Bowman Ferry and Alfred Charles Clas, construction lasted two years and cost just over $254,000 -- including the house, furnishings and artwork.
As leading figures in Milwaukee society, Captain Pabst and his wife, Maria, became consummate art collectors, filling their mansion with priceless treasures. During the years of the Pabst family’s ownership, the house was the scene of many fine parties and receptions, a wedding and, in the end, Captain and Mrs. Pabst’s funeral.
After the Pabst descendants sold the house in 1908, it became the archbishop’s residence and the center of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee for more than sixty years. When it was sold in 1975, the mansion was nearly torn down to make way for a parking lot. After a three-year crusade for its preservation, it was spared demolition and went on to become an award-winning house museum.
Today the Pabst Mansion boasts stunning interiors, elegant furnishings, exceptional wood craftsmanship, intricate ironwork and a collection of fine arts.
The Mansion was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Open to the public since 1978, revenues for the Pabst Mansion’s ongoing restoration are garnered from admissions, sales, events, grants, donations and memberships.
As leading figures in Milwaukee society, Captain Pabst and his wife, Maria, became consummate art collectors, filling their mansion with priceless treasures. During the years of the Pabst family’s ownership, the house was the scene of many fine parties and receptions, a wedding and, in the end, Captain and Mrs. Pabst’s funeral.
After the Pabst descendants sold the house in 1908, it became the archbishop’s residence and the center of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee for more than sixty years. When it was sold in 1975, the mansion was nearly torn down to make way for a parking lot. After a three-year crusade for its preservation, it was spared demolition and went on to become an award-winning house museum.
Today the Pabst Mansion boasts stunning interiors, elegant furnishings, exceptional wood craftsmanship, intricate ironwork and a collection of fine arts.
The Mansion was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Open to the public since 1978, revenues for the Pabst Mansion’s ongoing restoration are garnered from admissions, sales, events, grants, donations and memberships.