Waelderhaus

Story

The Waelderhaus is a structure in Kohler, Wisconsin managed by the Kohler Foundation. It was constructed by Marie C Kohler as a memorial to her father John Michael Kohler II (1844–1900). It was built as a headquarters for the Kohler Women's Club, the local chapter of Girl Scouts and as a public meeting place for lectures and small performances.ArchitectureThe building was designed and furnished by Austrian architect Kaspar Albrecht. It was designed in the traditional style of the Bregenzerwald (Bregenz Forest) region of western Austria. The veranda, living room and work room were done in the original style. The lower level was provided with modern facilities in the kitchen. The lower level also houses a dining room along with the dressing and make-up rooms to service the auditorium on the main level.The second floor houses a traditional Bregenzerwald style kitchen and contains articles brought from Austria by the Kohler family. The second level also contained a werk zimmer (work room), a stube (living room), a traditional style bedroom and a meeting room for the Girl scouts dedicated to Sir Robert Baden-Powell the founder of the Scout Movement.The third floor contains a keeper's apartment with two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen and a bathroom. The wardrobe for theatricals is also on the third floor.The interior contain many rich carvings, wrought-iron craftsmanship, stained glass, Austrian furniture and tapestries.