Waelderhaus

The Waelderhaus is a replica of the type of home the Kohler family’s ancestors would have had in Austria. The building was built by the Kohler’s not to be a home, but to be a meeting place for the local Girl Scout troop as well as to be available for special occasions and other events. Waelderhaus means «house in the woods» and it is on a beautiful plot of land with large trees and overlooks the meandering Sheboygan River.
What makes the house so special is all the carvings, wrought iron and metal work, paintings and woodwork throughout the house done by Kasper Albrecht. Everything was done with such care and artistry. The stoves are so unique as well as the three fountains in the home. There is even a hand carved Steinway piano. My favorite is the floor lamp which was illuminated by a candle but enhanced by large glass globes filled with water — very ingenious.
The tour takes about an hour and is free. You can tell that the guides have a love for the house which makes the tour even more interesting. Take the opportunity to really look at things close up to see the attention to detail and the skill of the artists and craftsmen. I would suggest taking the tour on an afternoon weekday in the fall where you might have an opportunity to spend more time looking at the details. Also, they do not have air conditioning.
In December, The Waelderhaus hosts a Gingerbread House competition for the local schools. From what I have heard and the pictures I have seen, I would suggest checking it out.