The Fort Atkinson Historical Society has announced that it has purchased a property adjacent to the Hoard Historical Museum and National Dairy Shrine Museum, 401 Whitewater Ave.
The Fort Atkinson Historical Society Board of Directors voted to use historical society funds to purchase the property and is exploring options for using the land, according to information released by the society.
According to Merrilee Lee, museum director, the former owners of the house at 423 Whitewater Ave. approached the museum to say they were going to put the property on the market.
“It was out of the blue. The phone rang one day and the family asked if we were interested in buying the property,” Lee was quoted as saying within the release.
Lee noted that the former owners had enjoyed attending events in the museum’s yard, especially the annual July Fourth Ice Cream Social, and were aware that the museum uses its outdoor space for activities.
The property, which is south of the museum, was the only lot adjacent to the museum. On the other three sides, the museum’s property lines are bounded by streets. Whitewater Avenue is to the east of the museum, South Fourth Street is to the north, and Foster Street is to the west, the release noted.
“The board thought it was too good of an opportunity to pass up. The property might not come on the market again and we can’t expand in any other direction,” Lee stated.
The Fort Atkinson Historical Society board has not yet decided how to use the new property, she said.
Within the release, Lee said the use of the property will align with the museum’s mission to “preserve, protect, and promote the history and culture of Fort Atkinson and the surrounding area from its earliest inhabitants to the present day.”
The property is .228 of an acre. The property lines of both buildings, the house and the museum, run the width of the block from Whitewater Avenue to Foster Street, the release stated.
Not counting its latest purchase, Lee noted within the release that the museum has two houses. The Frank and Luella Hoard House was the first museum building on the property and has been expanded several times. The 1841 Dwight and Almira Foster House is a stand-alone building and is used to represent the time period.
“Houses aren’t built to be museums. The Hoard House has been modified to be part of our museum and it still isn’t ideal. We’ve had to expand through additions onto the Hoard House to create the current space,” Lee continued.
Lee said it would be challenging and costly to renovate the newly purchased house to make it compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and use it for exhibit space, so it likely will be razed. Consequently, much of the brainstorming so far has focused on expanding event space, adding outdoor classroom space, expanding gardens and adding parking spaces.
According to the release, community members can suggest uses for the new property via a survey that will be available Sept. 15 on the museum’s website: www.hoardmuseum.org.
Additionally, the release noted, Fort Atkinson Historical Society members received a letter in August announcing the purchase.
Within the release, Lee said the purchase was made possible because of the longterm generosity of Fort Atkinson Historical Society members and other community stakeholders.
“The feedback has been very positive. Members and volunteers are very excited about the new opportunities this opens up for the museum,” Lee said.
A structure, at right, has become the property of the Fort Atkinson Historical Society. The Hoard Historical Museum, at left, which is operated by the society, is located at 401 Whitewater Ave. The recently purchased building is located at 423 Whitewater Ave. According to a recent news release, the property was offered for purchase to the society by its owners. The board purchased the building because it is the only lot adjacent to the museum which could be used for future expansion. While plans for the property have not yet been developed, there is a likelihood the building will be razed, Hoard Historical Museum Director Merrilee Lee noted within the release.
Contributed photo.
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