1893 Victorian Farmhouse: 2015

COME TO OUR

VICTORIAN HOUSE TOUR and CRAFT SHOW
255 Mill St. - Scandinavia, Wisconsin 54977

Halloween Weekend – Saturday Oct 31 and Sunday Nov 1 – 10:00a to 4:00p

Take a historic tour of the Wrolstad-Quien Victorian at 255 Mill Street in Scandinavia, Wisconsin this Halloween weekend. We are asking for a modest donation of $2 per person--all going to The Humane Society of Waupaca County. Enjoy chili and dessert by Scandinavia Library in the Red Garage.

PLENTY OF PARKING
IN REAR OF PROPERTY, BEHIND THE RED GARAGE.

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Our Queen Anne Style Victorian was built in 1893 by John and Mathea Wrolstad--owners of a successful logging business.

Back row, left to right standing: sons and daughter Alfred, Sina, and James. Second row, seated: son Martin, parents John Olsen and wife Mathea, and son John. Littlest ones: Henry, Mabel, and Josephine.

I believe this photo of our house was taken about 1905

The girl second from the left is Mabel Wrolstad youngest daughter of John Olsen Wrolstad and his wife Mathea.

Wrolstad Logging Business

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The second owners, Thomas and Maren Quien family owned the house for 90 years.

Standing, left to right: Bessie, Gusta, Peter, Ragnhild,

with parents: Thomas and Maren (Gurholt) Quien.

photo c. 1910 - Second Owners

Thomas Quien with grand-daughters Mary Jane and Donna (children of Ruth and Peter Quien)

photo taken about 1926

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Jon and I purchased the house in 2007 beginning a 7 year house restoration. We are delighted to show you all the ornate features of the house; faux bois woodwork, pocket doors, fret work (spandrels), 5-window bay, corbels, 3-window cut-aways, wrap around porch, summer kitchen, Juliet balcony, stained glass window, etched glass doors, wavy-glass windows, spoon carved woodwork, 1917 cook stove, 1916 parlor stove, and original hardware. Be sure to see the displays of photographs and personal items belonging to the Quien family.

Kitchen - March 2008

Original Tall Kitchen Hutch

Visitors will be greeted by artisans demonstrating and selling their work at the Victorian House Tour.

Rug weaver Jerry Johnson, wood carver Kay Durrant, watercolor/acrylic artists Sue Martin and Doris Weed, holiday wreaths and table centerpieces by Jane and Krissy Berkholtz, gemstone and sterling silver jewelry by Patty Kirchner, and bed quilts by long arm quilter Linda Durrant.

In the spirit of Halloween fun, you can step into the parlor of Madam Sams to hear your fortune told.

Before: North Bedroom Upstairs

After: North Bedroom Upstairs

Let me tell you a little bit more about our Artisans— and more about our restoration.

1. Jerry Johnson of Iola is a master rug weaver for more than 35 years. At the Halloween Victorian Tour and Craft Show Jerry will demonstrate the frugal Scandinavian method of turning old clothing into beautiful woven rugs for the home. Also--Jerry will demonstrate many antique and vintage sewing machines he restored.

Jerry will tell you the history of portable hand crank sewing machines like this turn of the century Singer La Vencedora Model 128 he restored. A 3/4 size petite sewing machine, it is ready to take to the cabin for a bit of relaxation and sewing!

As as a teenager Jerry was already helping his Mother and Aunt sort old clothing by weight, texture, and color in preparation for rug weaving. Jerry says, “cotton and wool make great rugs, but the real artistry of combining fabrics to create pattern, color, and texture—it all begins with my 1932 Singer hand crank sewing machine Model 99 . . . made of good old cast iron, and no plastic.”

Jerry studied with master weavers: Ken Colwell of Mineral Point, Joanna Ericksen of Boston, and Peter Collingwood of England. Jerry says he loves to weave rugs, because it keeps a connection to the past alive. He says, “people relate to the art of rug weaving—many people share stories of family members who made rag rugs, and that makes me smile.”

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2. Jane Berkholtz has good news to share about her business "Just Hangin' aRound" and will show you some wonderful ways to decorate your home during the Fall and Winter with beautiful holiday wreaths, and table centerpieces.

Born and raised in New London, Jane moved to the Shawano area in 2010. She's been doing arrangements and wedding flowers for more than 20 years now Jane tells me, her husband Keith helps with all the wood cutting and new display ideas, while her daughter Krissy created the business logo and facebook page Just Hangin' aRound." Jane and Krissy look forward to meeting you at the Halloween Weekend Victorian House Tour. Come browse her collection of wreaths and centerpieces--and see how she's decorated our old Victorian House.

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Our Red Dining Room

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3. Susan Martin’s paintings tell us much about human behavior—and that’s why I asked her to display her watercolor and acrylic art work here at our Halloween weekend Victorian House Tour and Craft Show. Susan is from Waupaca.

I purchased Susan’s painting “I’m having a bad hair day” because it made me laugh out loud. It is a portrait of a colorful rooster with head fathers in total disarray. Oh my gosh, that’s what I look like every morning! Susan’s paintings remind me that we can’t always take life so seriously. I love that about her work and you will too. Below are a few of Susan's great paintings.

Trees

Hello Gorgeous

Birches in the Snow

Rooster with a Checkered Past

Birches

The Cougar

Going Home

You can check out Susan Martin's website www.susanmartinartist.com. Her wood carvings and paintings are available at the Blue Dolphin Gallery in Door County WI, the Silver Coach Restaurant in Stevens Point, WI, Village Hive Bakery in Amherst, and featured at many Waupaca WI locations: Cronies, The Revival, Little Fat Gretchen’s, and Simpson’s Restaurant.

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West Bedroom - Restoring Walls and Installed New Ceiling

West Bedroom - Wall Repairs Finished Smooth - Ready for Paint

4. Patty Kirchner - "Nature's Treasures--All Things Beautiful from The Earth and Sea"

Patty is a designer of fine sterling silver jewelry. The materials she uses are natural items: Gemstones, Pearls, Shells, Polished Stones, Sea Urchin Spines, Seeds from Hawaii, Mother of Pearl, and even Wood Beads. Patty happily admits, "I pride myself in using only the best materials and guarantee all of my work".

Patty's expertise includes sterling silver wire-wrapping and hand-setting stones herself to make each jewelry piece perfect. I am pleased Patty is joining us for this year's Halloween Weekend Victorian House Tour and Craft Show where you can see, feel, and enjoy her handcrafted Earrings, Necklaces, and Bracelets.

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5. Kay Durrant of Sheridan, WI demonstrate the time honored tradition of wood carving. What started out as a hobby for Kay turned into teaching wood carving classes at Fox Valley Tech. Currently she is teaching several classes a week and her classes are always full.

I’m so happy to have Kay here as a featured artist so you can meet her in person and watch her carve. If you ant to know more about wood carving, Kay is the person to talk to. She'll have a selection of her wood carvings for sale at our open house.

Arched spandrel, east window bay, Living Room

(June 2007 - blowing insulation into walls, installing new ceiling)

Linda touching up faux bois finish on woodwork with artist brush and oil paints.

Living Room - 2008

Repairing Walls - 2007
Repairing Downstairs Bedroom (formerly the Parlor)

2008 - Downstairs Bedroom Finished

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6. Doris Weed of Waupaca, WI - you are in for some fun meeting Artist Doris Weed. I've been

following Doris’ work for 30 years. I am completely smitten by her “women with attitude” paintings. How can I say it simply? Her paintings are more than bold, fabulous colors--I’m captivated by the characters she creates. Her paintings are women of the 1920s and 1930s--the flapper era of drinking, dancing, smoking.

Fun titles she gives her paintings say what many women are thinking, sometimes a bit naughty, tongue in cheek, or utterly outrageous. Doris’ humor always catches me by surprise and leaves me appreciating her work all the more. Women with Attitude is her unforgettable trademark.

Doris’ paintings can be purchased at our Victorian House Tour, as well as her Waupaca home studio by appointment, The Green Fountain Inn and Little Fat Gretchen’s in Waupaca, and Village Hive Bakery in Amherst.

Long Hallway Upstairs - 2011

Process of Saving the Walls throughout the House

Long Hallway Upstairs - 2013
Wall Repairs Finished and
Jon re-installing picture rail found in attic

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Wall Repair - Stairwell 2013

Jon working on bathroom

Installing 3/4" beadboard

Kohler Clawfoot Tub
born May 12, 1903, Plant Line #2 Kohler, WI, about 11:30 in the morning
according to tub serial number and Kohler mfgr. records

7. Linda Durrant - long arm quilter, Scandinavia WI. My husband and I are the restorers of this old Victorian. I will be displaying and selling queen size bed quilts, and demonstrating VINTAGE SEWING MACHINES in my SECOND STORY STUDIO in the RED GARAGE.