Wisconsin - Landmarks and Points of Interest
- By Smithsonian.com
- Smithsonian.com, November 06, 2007, Subscribe
Fall colors spread along the Upper Dells on the Wisconsin River. Courtesy of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism
Wisconsin's State Capitol lies on an isthmus bordered by Lakes Monona and Mendota. The interior of the Capitol showcases 43 unique varieties of stone from around the world, hand-carved furniture and glass mosaics. Visitors can tour the chambers that house the three branches of government, the Governor’s Conference Room and the Supreme Court.
In the rural east Wisconsin city of Ripon, find The Little White Schoolhouse, the birthplace of the Republican Party. Built in 1850, this was the site of the first grassroots meeting by members of three existing political parties to form a new party called Republican, which ignited a national movement.
The Milton House National Historic Landmark, an 1844 stagecoach inn, is Wisconsin's only documented Underground Railroad site. A 40-foot tunnel connects the inn to a small log cabin east of the main house.
In operation since 1864, the Dells Mill is an impressive five-story structure built of hand-hewn timbers. Powered by the waters of Bridge Creek, the mill ground flour and feed for more than 100 years until it was converted into a museum in 1968. The mill's construction is a fascinating relic of days gone by with 3,000 feet of belting and 175 pulleys—all powered by water—and machinery that includes the original water wheels, drive shafts, core wheel, barrel stencils and cup elevators.
Ten Chimneys is the historic estate of 20th century Broadway legends Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne. Nearly all of the estate's furnishings, hand-painted murals, enchanting person décor and diverse collections are intact and unchanged since the Lunts fist assembled them.
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