Wisconsin Historical Society: Black Point Estate & Gardens to open early May for the season

Contact:Keri O’Keefe
Wisconsin Historical Society
Phone: (608)-261-9597
E-Mail: keri.okeefe@wisconsinhistory.org

Lake Geneva, Wisconsin – Black Point Estate & Gardens, part of the Wisconsin Historical Society, will reopen May 6-7 for the 2017 season. A new season brings a full-range of events and activities to Black Point. The 129th season at Black Point kicks off with tours starting at 10:30 am each day where guests will enjoy a scenic boat ride, a stroll through the historic house and gardens, and view the newly restored veranda. Black Point Estate & Gardens was the summer home for Chicago beer baron and business tycoon, Conrad Seipp.

“We are honored to be opening the Estate for its 129th season along the shores of Geneva Lake,” said Dave Desimone, site director at Black Point Estate & Gardens. “We’ve just completed a major restoration project to the veranda and look forward to the return of all our summer visitors.”

Throughout the season, Black Point will offer a variety of special events and programming including:

Nooks and Crannies Tours

Remarkable Women Cruises

Beer Barons Cruises

Walking Tours of Downtown Lake Geneva

Angels Carried Them Away: Death and Mourning in the Victorian Era

To tour Black Point Estate & Gardens, visitors travel by boat from Riviera Docks in downtown Lake Geneva. Other accommodations can be made in advance directly through the estate. Tickets can be booked through Lake Geneva Cruise Line and the entire tour takes approximately three hours. Tickets for adults (18-64) cost $39; Seniors (over 65) $37; Youth (13-17) $33; and a Child (4-12) $27. All Wisconsin Historical Society members will also receive a discount on their admission.

Black Point Estate & Gardens is open May 6 – 31 (weekends only) with tours departing at 10:30am and 12:30pm. From June 1 – October 31, Black Point offers tours on Monday – Thursday at 10:30am and Friday – Sunday at 10:30am and 12:30pm. Additional information regarding operating hours and special events can be found at blackpointestate.org.

About Black Point Estate and Gardens:
Black Point Estate and Gardens is one of twelve historic sites administered by the Wisconsin Historical Society. The estate is a 20 room Queen-Anne style “cottage” built by Chicago beer baron Conrad Seipp with construction completed in 1888. Black Point Estate and Gardens is open for tours from May to October. Visitors can reach the site by boat, just as family and friends did in a bygone era. For more information and a list of upcoming events, visit blackpointestate.org.

About Wisconsin Historical Society:
The Wisconsin Historical Society, founded in 1846, ranks as one of the largest, most active and most diversified state historical societies in the nation. As both a state agency and a private membership organization, its mission is to help people connect to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing stories. The Wisconsin Historical Society serves millions of people every year through a wide range of sites, programs and services. For more information, visit wisconsinhistory.org.