Octagon House Museum - Watertown, Wisconsin

Octagon House Museum: A Journey Through Wisconsin History

The Octagon House Museum, located at 919 Charles St, Watertown, WI 53094, stands as a remarkable testament to Wisconsin's rich past. This meticulously preserved 1853 home offers visitors a unique and engaging glimpse into the life of the Roblin family, pioneers who shaped the landscape and culture of the region. The museum’s website, octagonhousemuseum.org, provides comprehensive details about its history and upcoming events. For immediate contact, you can reach them at 9202612796.

A Unique Architectural Gem

What immediately sets the Octagon House apart is its distinctive octagonal shape – a rarity in 19th-century American architecture. Constructed by architect William H. McCarty, the house was intended to be a showcase of innovative design and a symbol of prosperity. The building’s design isn’t just aesthetically pleasing; it was strategically intended to maximize natural light and create a spacious, comfortable living environment. The museum meticulously maintains the original features, including the intricate woodwork, period furniture, and decorative arts, allowing guests to truly step back in time.

Exploring the Roblin Family Story

The Octagon House served as the home of John and Mary Roblin, prominent members of Watertown’s early community. The museum focuses on their lives, highlighting their contributions to local society, their family values, and the challenges they faced as pioneers. Visitors can learn about their business ventures, their involvement in community affairs, and their commitment to education. The displays are thoughtfully curated to paint a vivid picture of daily life during the mid-19th century. The museum’s dedication to accuracy and historical detail has earned it considerable praise from those who have visited.

Tours and Engaging Experiences

The Octagon House Museum offers guided tours that are consistently lauded for their informative and captivating nature. These tours are led by knowledgeable docents who bring the Roblin family’s story to life. The tours are designed to be accessible and engaging for all ages, particularly appealing to families with children. Many visitors comment on the excellent tour guides who tailor their presentations to the audience, ensuring everyone understands and appreciates the historical significance of the house. The museum recognizes the importance of connecting with younger audiences, and docents often incorporate interactive elements and anecdotes to maintain their interest. It’s clear that a significant portion of the museum’s success is directly attributable to the quality of its tours.

Why Visit

• Historical Significance: A rare and well-preserved example of 19th-century architecture and a window into the lives of pioneering families.
• Educational Value: Provides a valuable learning experience for visitors of all ages, offering insights into Wisconsin’s history and culture.
• Family-Friendly: A great destination for families, with tours and exhibits designed to engage children.
• Unique Atmosphere: The octagonal design and period furnishings create a truly immersive and memorable experience.

The Octagon House Museum is more than just a collection of artifacts; it’s a living testament to the spirit of innovation and community that shaped Watertown. Its strategic location makes it a convenient stop for travelers exploring the scenic countryside of western Wisconsin, and its enduring popularity reflects the widespread appreciation for preserving and celebrating local heritage. The museum actively seeks to expand its educational programs and outreach efforts, ensuring that future generations will continue to learn from and be inspired by the Roblin family’s legacy. The positive reviews consistently highlight the engaging nature of the tours and the welcoming atmosphere of the museum.

Other points of interest include the opportunity to explore the surrounding grounds, which offer a glimpse into the landscape that the Roblins called home. The museum also hosts special events throughout the year, such as historical reenactments and craft fairs, providing visitors with additional opportunities to immerse themselves in the past. Planning a visit is simple, and the museum’s website offers detailed information about hours of operation, admission fees, and upcoming events. Many visitors note that it’s a neat stop off the beaten path, offering a refreshing contrast to more well-known tourist destinations. The museum’s commitment to preserving its collection and sharing its story with the public is truly commendable.

👍 Reviews of Octagon House Museum

Maridale V.

5/5

This was one of the best tours I have ever taken. The house is wonderful, but the knowledge of the guide is the icing on the cake. We took this with our 8 yr old granddaughter, and the guide directed the information to her to keep her engaged, yet it was also very interesting to us. Don't miss this tour if you are anywhere near!

Jeff C.

5/5

Neat stop off the beaten path. What a unique building to see and learn about.

Scott N.

5/5

Well worth the trip to see this amazing house and contents. The tour guide was amazing. She knew the house, its contents, history of the family and surrounding area. My favorite part was the spiral staircase. The quality and construction of it (and the whole house) is astounding. If you're ever in the area, stop by to see it.

T R.

5/5

This is a great place to visit. What an interesting architectural home! The venting achieved by the design of circular staircase in center of home, and windows/french doors across from each other is super!! We need that today in homes! Our tour guide was excellent, working there 25 years she knows the history without script, and gives you details when you ask questions. She even dresses the part in period dress. The grounds are well done and maintained. The barn with it's historical pieces, and the first registered kindergarten adds another level of interest to your visit which you do on your own. Close to the Rock River it is a lovely neighborhood as well. Stop in when you are area, call for times and days available during the rest of 2021 season.

Sarah A.

5/5

LOVED THIS PLACE!!!! I have lived in Wisconsin all my life and this was my first time here. Everyone should come visit at least once. Well worth the money. We had the guide all to ourselves so that made it very special and easy to hear also 😀

Thomas K.

4/5

Vey neat 3-leveled building with interesting history and hard structures that were hard to build. Also the unique home of the first kindergarten in the U.S. Overall, fun time and no worries.

Melinda L.

5/5

Very unique home from 1850's. Tour was very informative. You can access every level of this home. Not handicap accessible though.

Glor M.

5/5

Loved it! Very interesting! Had very informative guide. Took about an hour. Lots of stairs.
Pic from top floor down of circular stairs case. Beautiful!
Other pic of the outside front of house.

Large windows are really French doors. They were taxed by how many windows in the home. This house is mainly French doors. 🙂 Cool idea to get out of paying taxes on the home! 🙂

Mary H.

5/5

Was very interesting!! Extremely friendly staff, informative, well laid out, and the BEST spiral staircase I have ever personally walked up! Worth the stop! Pricing extremely reasonable 👏👏👍👍💯😃

Amy J. B.

5/5

Had a doggone good time on this tour with a great guide! See both pictures. Learned about innovations in this house. Designed a house and built it with my spouse in Iowa. Actually, the first kindergarten was even more important to me because I have seen a decline in instruction over the years.

Cheri R.

5/5

Was amazing, learned so much from the great tour!! We were so lucky to get president lady to give us a tour even after tours were done. It is a must see.

Sam B.

3/5

Very cool house. The tour is very disappointing. While they have a lot of cool facts, they give you no time to look. On the top floor there is probably 15+ cases of history displayed with a lot of items. We were doing great throughout the tour so I was in shock when the tour guide told us we only had 4! minutes to look around and go up to the 360 tower. I didn't even have time to go and quickly take pictures of said displays to at least look at later. The mildly irritating part was that they had crammed items into the house that were not owned by the family. While I understand trying to show how things where laid out then, that made it hard to cram the group into the rooms. It was therefore hard to know what was original to the family and what was added.

Maridale V.

5/5

This was one of the best tours I have ever taken. The house is wonderful, but the knowledge of the guide is the icing on the cake. We took this with our 8 yr old granddaughter, and the guide directed the information to her to keep her engaged, yet it was also very interesting to us. Don't miss this tour if you are anywhere near!