519 Third Street
| Historic Name: | Perry, Melvin W. and Mary, House |
|---|---|
| Reference Number: | 07001461 |
| Location (Address): | 519 Third Street |
|---|---|
| County: | Kewaunee |
| City/Village: | Algoma |
| Township: |
| Melvin W. and Mary Perry House 519 Third Street, Algoma, Kewaunee County Architect: W.W. De Long Date of Completion: 1909 Melvin Perry, entrepreneur, industrialist, politician and philanthropist, was a central figure in the development of Algoma. Perry occupied this house from its completion in 1909 until his death in 1951. His establishment of the Ahnapee Veneer and Seating Company in 1892 coincided with the arrival of the first railroad in Algoma. Both developments sparked the city's industrial rise. The company eventually became the largest employer in the city. It produced veneer seating and paneling, as well as furniture for commercial use. Perry also helped found and lead the Algoma Net Company in 1914 and the Algoma Foundry and Machine Company in 1922. Additionally, he served as city alderman, mayor, and Wisconsin State senator. He was active on the school board and school building committee. He played an important role in the conversion of an old factory into a community center, and he deeded two blocks of his own property to establish a park and athletic field. The prominence of the Perry house reflects the important role that Mel Perry played Algoma's growth. The Perry house incorporates elements of both Colonial Revival and Shingle Style architecture. The exterior is composed of weatherboard siding on the first floor with cut cedar shingles covering the second floor and dormers. The façade is dominated by a two-story gambrel-gabled projection, sitting above two pairs of Ionic columns. The entry porch is framed by a large, semi-circular, stone arch. Many windows feature leaded clear beveled glass. The house underwent a significant remodel in 1920, which included the addition of two sunrooms. A garage that harmonized with the style of the house was added in 1923. The building's interior showcases decorative elements produced by Perry's own company, functioning as an advertisement for his products. Many of the downstairs rooms utilize mahogany Ionic columns, oak or mahogany veneer paneling, and decorative maple and oak flooring. Today the Perry house functions as a bed and breakfast. Please respect the privacy of the residents and guests.
|
| Period of Significance: | 1909-1951 |
|---|---|
| Area of Significance: | Industry |
| Applicable Criteria: | Person |
| Historic Use: | Domestic: Single Dwelling |
| Architectural Style: | Colonial Revival |
| Resource Type: | Building |
| Architect: | Pies, Frank (builder) |
| Architect: | De Long, W.W. (architect) |
| Historic Status: | Listed in the National Register |
|---|---|
| Historic Status: | Listed in the State Register |
| National Register Listing Date: | 01/23/2008 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 07/20/2007 |
| Number of Contributing Buildings: | 1 |
|---|---|
| Number of Contributing Sites: | 0 |
| Number of Contributing Structures: | 0 |
| Number of Contributing Objects: | 0 |
| Number of Non-Contributing Sites: | 0 |
| Number of Non-Contributing Structures: | 0 |
| Number of Non-Contributing Objects: | 0 |
| National Register and State Register of Historic Places, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |