Restoring the gardens of the historic Yawkey House Museum in Wausau, Wisconsin was part of the complete museum restoration project that began in 2004. Funding for this was achieved through the Jeffris Family Foundation and the people of the greater central Wisconsin area. The purpose of this restoration was to create a public landscape that harmonized the historic significance of the grounds with 21st century needs.
The purpose of this restoration was to create a public landscape that harmonized the historic significance of the grounds with 21st century needs.
Working with Isthmus Architecture from Madison, Wisconsin, extreme care was given in the design phase beginning with a structural report, recommendations, and cost estimate. Accuracy in projected costs was important because contractors were not allowed to exceed the funded amount. The renovated garden design had to harmonize the artistic elements of the original 1905 design with current needs. Referring back to the original drawings, the new design included both hardscaping and plant material layouts considering handicap accessibility, traffic flow, use requirements, and garden design. The two architectural elements of the original garden, the colonnaded pergola and classical water feature with spray, were still functioning, but in a state of decay. These were restored by the general contractor.
Our firm was responsible for research and documentation, design, design facilitation, subcontracting, plant purchasing and layout, and billing. We worked very closely with the general contractor to stay within budget and complete the project by the projected finish date. This project brought out the best in all the craftspeople involved.
We had several challenges, but wheelchair accessibility, space for group gatherings, and creating a sense of intimacy were key features. We achieved this by proper grading, widening and paving paths, leaving large open green spaces, and surrounding those areas with variety hedges and textural plantings including flowering shrubs, evergreens, perennials, and annuals. The original plant list from 1905 greatly influenced plant selections. Permanent benches and urns were placed on the veranda, herb garden area, and pergola.
This project was successful in large part because of the general contractor; he did a great job of keeping the entire project on track, even after a fire in the attic of the museum. The landscape contracting and irrigation teams were also excellent. Working with both Wausau Concrete and Buechel Stone Corporation for hard surface materials also was gratifying.
Click on the thumbnail to view the project photo. © Copyright Landscape Solutions by Susan Murphy
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