Additional Information: | COMPLEX OF BLDGS DESIGNED AFTER WARTBURG, WHERE LUTHER TRANSLATED NEW TESTAMENT. MEDIEVAL QUADRANGLE BLDG ARRANGEMENT. OFFICES, CLASSROOMS, 17 HOUSES, DORMITORIES, AND ROMANESQUE GATEWAY TOWER.
DESCRIPTION
This mail building and gate of the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary is brick structures with Tudor Revival details. The main building has a complex steeply-pitched gable toof with numerous dormers projecting from it. On the front facase is a secton with a large three story tower. Next to this section is a section with half-timbering on the upper story. The windows are largely tall, marrow casemants that are grouped togerther on some parts of the building. The main entrances are recessed behind round stone arches. THe main gate of the seminary has detailsimilar to thouse of the main building including round arches, a tall square tower, and casement windows.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
This Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary began as a theological seminary for the Wisconsin Synod of the Lutheran Church in 1863 in Watertown. In 1870, the seminary in Watertown merged with the Concordinal Theological Seminary in St. Louis, and the school at Watertown became primarily a prepatory school. In 1878 the Wisconsin Synod reopened their seminary in Milwaukee. A larger seminary was build in Wawatosa in 1893. In 1928, land was perchased in Mequon and in 1929, these structures were built. The large building included administation, classrooms, chapel, gymnasium, and library facilities for the school. After World War II, additonal modern buildings were added to this school. In 1970, the enrollment at the school was almost 200. [a, "Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary"] gatehouse |
Bibliographic References: | ZIMMERMANN, RUSSELL "THE HERITAGE GUIDEBOOK" (HERITAGE BANKS 1976)
[a] Plat Maps for the city of Mequon, 1867-1980, on file at the Mequon Historical Society, Mequon, Wisconsin, or the Archives at the State Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin.
[b] Taxs Rolls for the city of Mequon, 1857-1930, on file at the library, Mequon, Wisconsin.
[c] Field observation based on architectural and historical information.
[d] Information from the owner of the property.
[e] Information from the building's datestone or inscription.
[f] Freistadt Historical Society, Freistadt and the Lutheram Immigration, Mequom: Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1989.
[g] L. Rehm, Mequon History, on file at the Mequon Historical Society, Mequon, Wisconsin.
[h] C.W. Butterfield, History of Washington and Ozaukee Counties, Chicago: Western Publishing Company, 1880.
[i] Information from the Mequon Landmarks Commission, Mequon, Wisconsin. |