Black Point Estate – Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
The story of Black Point Estate begins in 1887 when Chicago beer baron Conrad Seipp began construction on the mansion to provide his family with a break from the heat and bustle of Chicago during the summer. At that time there were no roads to the area so to reach the home they had to come by boat.
Considered by Seipp to be a cottage the 20 room Queen Anne was completed in 1888 for the sum of $20,000. The house had 13 bedrooms and only one bathroom. Sitting on nearly 8 acres of land there were 620 feet of undisturbed shoreline of Geneva Lake.
The home became the residence of the family following the death of Seipp in 1890. The house was occupied by the family and 4 generations to follow. The house today has the original furnishings that were added by each generation which is now a showcase of household items ranging from Victorian time to modern.
The great-grandson of Seipp, William O. Petersen, donated the house and grounds to the State of Wisconsin in September of 2005.
The State of Wisconsin did extensive restoration equaling 1.9 million dollars. Following the restoration the house was opened for tours in 2007. In 2013 the responsibility for Black Point Estate moved to the Wisconsin Historical Society. The tours run from May through October. You can reach the home by boat, just like past residents did.
You can take the book from Riveria Docks in downtown Lake Geneva. Plan on approximately 3 hours for the entire tour.
Address: Lake Geneva Cruse Line (the only way to get there unless you have your own boat)
Riviera Docks
812 Wrigley Drive
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
Phone: 262-248-1888
Admission:
Adults (18-64) $34
Youth (13-17) $30
Child (4-120 $24
Season Dates and Departure times:
May 4 – June 9, 2013 (these dates will vary slightly by year)
Weekends Only: 10:30 am
June 15 – September 30, 2013
Monday – Friday 10:30 am
Weekends: 10:30 am and 12:30 pm
October 2013
Boat tours based on weather.
Active-duty military identification holders and up to five immediate family members receive a $12 discount from May 27 through September 2, 2013 as a part of the Blue Star Museum Initiative
