The future is exciting. It’s our pleasure to introduce you to the newest addition to The Tower Heritage Center’s campus, the 1865 Frisby House.
At its lively intersection on Poplar and Main Street, the Frisby House is positioned as a doorway to the Heritage Center, the icon of West Bend’s historic downtown.
This Italianate Cream City brick building will redefine our ability to offer different experiences that connect people to Washington County’s heritage.
The opportunity to protect the 1865 Frisby House has led us to launch a much-needed transformation we are calling the 5-Year ReConnect. This is our direction for becoming more outwardly focused, enhancing our ability to uncover compelling stories and offer meaningful experiences that reconnect us with our identity and our roots.
Our Vision for the Space
The iconic 1865 Frisby House will serve as a purposeful welcome center and intimate program space.
Coming in from the enclosed front porch, guests will step back into 1865. The main rooms on the first floor will be fully restored, creating an immersive, memorable experience. Modular exhibits will add context to the space, highlighting the storied past of the home, its residents, and Washington County’s origins.
The welcome center will offer unique mercantile through partnerships and collaborations with local businesses and artisans. On the side of the house is an open outdoor space for the community, to slow down and take in this history at any time.
In the 1865 Frisby House, we’ll be hosting events and workshops with locally connected goods available in the welcome center.
Upstairs, will be the new operational hub for The Tower Heritage Center, increasing collaboration and reach.
We’re on the threshold of a monumental project that will transform our organization and expand our impact within the county.
To make this all possible, it will cost $175,000. The project is slated to be completed in 2025. Throughout this time frame, we’ll have opportunities for the community to be involved in the project.
Let’s Grow, Together
The 5-Year ReConnect is an opportunity for us to reconnect with the community through our shared heritage. Through these key campaign focuses: 1865 Frisby House, 1889 Courthouse, 1886 Jailhouse, Courthouse Square Grounds, and Media, we’ll redefine our ability to offer different experiences that enrich the mission and long-term sustainability of The Tower Heritage Center. If you’re interested, we’d love to have a meaningful conversation with you. Your involvement in this growth means the world to us!