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Property Location
Property Features
Site began in 1929 but continued to grow until 1942. There are approximately 35 pieces in the garden, ranging from structures 10 feet in height to decorative objects two feet tall.
Though labeled "grotto," the subject matter is non-denominational, not religious for the most part -- including an American flag, a 12-foot ocean liner, and a Peace Monument. There's a concrete and glass version of the Wegner's 50th anniversary wedding cake.
The house is gone, but the property was purchased by the Kohler Foundation in 1986, the sculptures restored, then donated to Monroe County in September of 1987.
National And State Register Of Historic Places Listings
Architecture & History Inventory
The Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory (AHI) is a digital source of information on historic buildings, structures, and objects that have been surveyed by the State Historic Preservation Office in Wisconsin. Each property has a digital record providing basic information about the property and images.
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Email UsAttribution
For a credit line: Wisconsin Historical Society, Creator, Title, Unique Identifier.
The Unique Identifier can be found at the top or bottom of the page for each item. The name of a downloaded file is NOT the unique identifier.
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Access Property Records
Some properties have more materials (correspondence, clippings, historical information, etc.) not in the digital record. If a 'Site File' exists, it's noted in the 'Additional Comments' field. Contact us for an appointment to view these materials.
Little Glass Church
1987
Text on reverse reads: "Paul & Matilda Wegner Grotto. Little Glass Church ca 1930-1934. Located on Highway 71, 1/4 mile west of Hwy. 27, 9 miles north of Sparta, WI. Church was constructed of concr...
Ship Bremen
1987
Text on reverse reads: "Paul & Matilda Wegner Grotto. Ship Bremen 1930. Located on Highway 71, 1/4 mile west of Hwy. 27, 9 miles north of Sparta, WI. One of the first sculptures made of concrete an...
P.L. Wegner Summer Home
1929
Text on front reads: "P.L. Wegner Summer Home. S.T.H. 71. Sparta, Wisc." The Paul & Matilda Wegner Grotto aka The Glass Chapel, a concrete structure with a glass mosaic exterior. It is surrounded b...
