Jessie and John F. Kern House

The Jessie and John F. Kern House is a German Renaissance Revival style mansion completed in 1900. The home was built for Wisconsin Industrialist John Kern. The home is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the Gilman's Subdivision of Part of Lockwood's Addition in the North Point North Historic District.[1] The home was completed in 1900 and was listed in the Wisconsin state register July 16, 1999 and added to the National Register March 24, 2000.[2]

Jessie and John F. Kern House
John Kern Mansion
Location2569 N Wahl Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53211
Nearest cityMilwaukee, Wisconsin
Coordinates43°03′49″N 87°52′27″W / 43.063611°N 87.874167°W / 43.063611; -87.874167
Area5,686 square feet
Built1900
Built forWisconsin industrialist John Kern
Original useHome
ArchitectCrane & Barkhausen
Architectural style(s)German Renaissance Revival
Governing bodyWisconsin Historical Society
OwnerJeffery and Karin Hembrock

History

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John Kern purchased the land on Park Avenue in 1899 and in August 1899, it was reported in the local news that Kern would build the home at cost between $20,000 and $25,000 (approximately $659,197.59 to $751,557.69 in 2021 dollars). The building was to be constructed with stone and brick and Crane & Barkhausen were to be the architects. The Krueger family bought the home in the 1930s. In the 1950s the home was converted into a duplex. In subsequent years the home was remodeled and repurposed and now it survives as a historic masion.[3]

Architectural elements

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Cupola on the Jessie and John F. Kern House

The building is an example of German Renaissance Revival style. The building is considered a villa. The wealthy Germans in the Milwaukee area built many homes in the style. The home has a brick facade and arcaded corbeling which are typical of this German revival style. The ornamental iron work was done by Cyril Colnik. The home is considered to be one of the first to have zoned air conditioning system.[2] The home has 16 rooms: five bedrooms, four and a half baths. The front of the building features an octagonal bartizan. The front porch has large stone arches. The interior of the home has stained glass windows in every room, woodwork throughout and a multiple fireplaces. The floors are adorned with beautiful inlaid wood. The home's parlor is replete with Honduran mahogany.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "HISTORIC DESIGNATION STUDY REPORT" (PDF). city.milwaukee.gov. Wisconsin Historic Society. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Property record 2569 N Wahl Ave Architecture and History Inventory". wisconsinhistory. Wisconsin Historical Society. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  3. ^ a b Tanzilo, Bobby. "Urban spelunking: John Kern's Wahl Avenue mansion, now for sale". onmilwaukee. On Milwaukee. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
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