Contact: Kara O’Keeffe
608-261-9596
kara.okeeffe@wisconsinhistory.
Lake Geneva, Wis. – Black Point Estate and Gardens, the 1888 20-room Queen Anne Style summer cottage of Chicago beer baron, Conrad Seipp will officially open for the season on May 4.
“This will be the estates’ 131st summer season,” said David Desimone, director of Black Point Estate and Gardens for the Wisconsin Historical Society. “We have a lot of new, fun and interactive programming this season for guests and we can’t wait to welcome everyone to the estate.”
New this year, will be two first-person presentations, “An Evening with Agatha Christie,” July 29 and October 26 and a dinner with “Conrad Seipp” on July 27.
Agatha Christie will be brought to life by local historian and actress Chris Brookes. This intimate evening will begin with a tour of the first floor followed by a conversation with Agatha Christie in the parlor.
On July 27, guests will enjoy an intimate catered dinner in the Black Point dining room. Following dinner, attendees will relish in a conversation with Conrad Seipp, 19th century Chicago beer baron and the original owner of the estate. This is a very rare opportunity to experience the estate. Conrad Seipp will be brought to life by Randy Witt, local historian and member of the Black Point staff.
Black Point Estate and Gardens is also offering yoga during the summer solstice and autumn equinox this year. These are private events and a fundraiser for Black Point. Guests will need to pre-register. These events allow guests to stretch out on the estates’ front lawn or on the veranda as they enjoy the changing seasons.
Offering a variety of programs throughout the season other highlighted events include, Nooks and Crannies Tour, Beer Barons of Lake Geneva, Plein Air Art Invitational, East Troy Electric Railroad Beer Train and When Angels Carried Them Away.
To Tour Black Point Estate & Gardens, visitors travel by boat from the Riviera Docks in downtown Lake Geneva. Tickets can be booked through Lake Geneva Cruise Line. The entire tour takes approximately 3.5. The cost is $39.00 (18-64), $37.00 (65+), $27.00 (5-17) and children four and younger are free. Wisconsin Historical Society members receive a $13.00 discount (except for special events). Please mention your membership at the time of purchase.
Walking tours are also offered by the site throughout the year and these take place on in Lake Geneva and not at the estate. Walking tours for the 2019 season include Legends and Landmarks walking tour, Sordid and Scandalous walking tour, Oak Hill Cemetery Walk and the Maple Park Historic District Lantern Tour.
For more information and a full list of scheduled events visit 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, visitwisconsinhistory.org.
