Port Firm Among Those Chosen to Build Wade House Center

J&H Heating of Port Washington is one of the five Wisconsin firms chosen to help build a new 38,000-square-foot visitor center and museum at Wade House historic site in Greenbush, according to a press release from the Wisconsin Historical Society.

Construction is expected to begin in November and completion expected in time for a grand opening on June 6, 2013 — 60 years to the day after the historic site's original dedication in 1953, according to the press release. The new year-round facility will overlook Highway 23, the busy Sheboygan County thoroughfare, midway between Sheboygan and Fond du Lac; J&H Heating will install the heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems.

More from the release:

A public-private partnership between the state of Wisconsin and generous benefactors is funding the project, with nearly half the $12 million total derived from private individuals and foundations, including the Kohler Trust for Preservation and the Mark Jung Family. The state Legislature appropriated $6.5 million through the sale of general purpose revenue bonds to private investors, with the state's share of funding included as part of the 2009-11 capital budget. 

The project is one of the major initiatives in the $77 million fundraising campaign, Forward! The Campaign for the Wisconsin Historical Society, which owns and operates the historic site.

The project will also employ environmentally conscious building standards and practices that will allow it to meet the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver status.

The new visitor center will include a multi-tiered orientation to the historic site and its themes; a large room for public and private functions; a classroom that will accommodate a variety of programs for school children and adult learners alike; and a museum store, café, ticketing and restrooms.

"This project is a shining example of an enterprising state agency working with legislators, other state agencies and private donors to bring a dream to reality," said Ellsworth Brown, The Ruth and Hartley Barker Director of the Wisconsin Historical Society. "This facility will be not only an exciting addition to the Wade House experience, but also a great benefit to the community of Greenbush as well as Sheboygan and Fond du Lac counties."