History of the Hamilton House

The history of our Second Empire Victorian mansion began long before the entrance of its name-sake, Herbert Hamilton.  The diverse and interesting history of this home has been traced back to when the land belonged to the government.  Dr. James Trippe purchased the land from the government on March 25, 1841.  After the land passed through several hands, Dr. Greenman, the local dentist purchased the land in 1861.  The home is said to have been completed in 1868.  This is due to a significant tax increase on the property.  Dr. Greenman and his wife, Elizabeth, lived in the home until 1880.  Elizabeth was a teacher at Normal School.  Normal school was located where the Wisconsin University of Whitewater now sits.  A child could enter Normal school in Kindergarten and leave a college graduate. 

The Van Gieson / Posey family purchased the home on August 20, 1880.  It appears that Mr. Van Gieson purchased the home for his wife, daughter, son-in-law and grandson.  Van Gieson's daughter, Sarah was married to Oliver P. Posey (initials in the entry hall window).  This Family made significant changes to the home during their stay.  In 1881 major additions were made to the home.  Four rooms were added to the east side of the home, the bay windows were added or enlarged, doors and windows were upgraded, Queen Ann style porches were added and the main stairs were changed.  Sarah gave art lessons from the home.  Her hand painted tiles can still be seen inlaid into the woodwork of the grand staircase.

 The home changed hands again several times before Herbert Hamilton purchased the home on October 19, 1903 for $5,000.  The Hamilton's were the first Whitewater natives to own the home.  Herbert lived here with his sister Ella, a librarian at the Whitewater library for 25 years.  After the death of the last Hamilton the home was sold in 1950.

 Since 1950 the home suffered greatly.  It changed hands many times, serving as a rooming house, Sorority, Fraternity, doll museum, antique store, office building and finally a family residence and Bed and Breakfast.

 In 1975, after many years of neglect, the Hamilton House found itself in grave danger of being demolished.  The owners had lost their mortgage and the property eventual found its way to being a ward of the city.  The Whitewater was then faced with the dilemma of what to do with the now dilapidated mansion.  After much deliberation, the city fathers decided to tear down the Hamilton House to make a parking lot for the library, located next door.  The good people of Whitewater were appalled.  The Hamilton House had now been a landmark structure in downtown Whitewater for over one hundred years.  They organized a grass roots effort and fought diligently to save the House.  A buyer was finally found who was willing to do the much needed repairs.  The new owners ran an antique shop, tearoom and doll museum from the home.

 The home later switched hands and eventually found its way back to being owned by the city.  Again it was to be torn down for a parking lot.  This is when, in 1990, the Alexander Company purchased the home for a dollar plus closing costs.  The Alexander Company, a professional restoration company out of Madison, completely restored the home and opened it as office space.  This was not as successful as they had hoped.  The home was put back on the market and purchased by the Anderson family in 1993.  This family did further renovations and updates that enabled them to use the property as a bed and breakfast.  After several years as innkeepers the Andersons were ready to move on to other ventures.

 This is when the current owners come into the picture.  September 29, 2000.  The Fleming / Witham families purchased the inn with the intent of returning it to its original grandeur and operating a luxury bed and breakfast.  A year long construction project was begun upgrading the amenities including additional baths, opening the parlors for guests' use, and redecorating.  After a season of operation, another construction project was started to build out a cozy, three bedroom, managers quarters in the basement.  This enabled the opening of two more rooms.  The Hamilton House Bed and Breakfast now boasts eight guest rooms, all with private baths and most with fireplaces and/or whirlpool tubs.

 After moving in we began to hear rumors of the existence of secret tunnels leading to other homes and the train depot.  These tunnels are believed to be a part of the Underground Railroad.  We anxiously await further investigations and stories that gradually find their way to us as the mysteries of Hamilton House unfold. 

 The Hamilton House is one of the finest examples of Second Empire Architecture in Wisconsin, complete with mansard roofs.  Six original fireplaces of marble and ornate wood still exist.  Exquisite examples of original woodwork can still be found through out the home, as well as stain glass and etched windows and hand tooled leather wainscoting.  We are very fortunate to still be able to enjoy these beautiful examples of Victorian craftsmanship. The home suffered extreme neglect and misuse during its fraternity years.  Gouges can be seen in the woodwork of the main stairs where someone is said to have ridden a motorcycle up and down the stairs.  The home also suffered from vandalism as a result of being vacant for a long period of time.  I recently was told a story of a city worker who came to check on the home while it was vacant.  He discovered that someone had been taking the marble fireplaces apart and stacking the marble in one of the parlors, to be retrieved later.  At that time the city took protective measures by removing all the fireplaces and other valuable features that they could.  These items were put into storage until the fate of the home could be decided upon.  Thank goodness that man came to check on things that exact day.  If he had not, we would have lost, forever, the beautiful fireplaces that now stand as monument to the original owner and a grand part of American history.

Following is a time table of the home's history.  As we find out more details the gaps will be filled in.

Date

Name

Price

Notes

Government

03-25-1841

James Trippe

Rosepha

11-28-1843

Jarvis Pike

$20

12-30-1844

$800

1861

Dr. Greenman

Dentist, Wife Elizabeth teacher at normal school

08-20-1880

Sarah E. Posey

Major remodeling, Art lessons

1894

Harriet McKey Smith

$5,000

09-01-1898

Dr Tom McKey

Dentist, Wife Lillian, Daughter Camilla

10-19-1903

Herbert Hamilton

$5,000

Lawyer, Wife Lottie, Sister Ella, Children Oscar and Laura, adopted son John

1950

Otto Renemow

$4,500

Wife Ona Took in borders

1960

Professor Partridge

1968

Charles Bangham

Retired minister

1972

Tau Nu Tau

First State Savings and Loan

05-16-1974

City of Whitewater

Planned library extention

1975

Gaylord Barnick

Restore, antique shop, doll museum, tea room

Mr. Ketchel

City of Whitewater

1991

Alexander Company

$1 plus closing

Completely restore and upgrade.  Office space

1993

Anderson

Bed and Breakfast

09-29-2000

Fleming /Witham

Bed and Breakfast