Weddings
AND SO MUCH MORE Horticultural Hall has rich history as a place to celebrate by Sandra Landen Machaj CORRESPONDENT
For those walking along Broad Street in downtown Lake Geneva, it’s difficult to miss the distinct arts and crafts style building known as Horticultural Hall. This uniquely styled building was designed by the architectural firm of Spencer and Powers who had also designed the Lake Geneva Country Club. While the construction of Horticultural Hall actually took place in 1911, the history that led to its construction began as early as 1887, with the formation of the
Lake Geneva Fresh Air Association. The association was comprised of residents with estates along the shore of Geneva Lake who donated money for the support of Holiday Home Camp. This camp provided a fresh air experience for underprivileged children from Chicago. In addition to their donations, these summer residents with the help of their gardeners and landscapers, would hold summer fairs on the estates. Fruits and vegetables would be auctioned at high prices for the benefit of the Holiday Home Camp. One report written by Mrs. Edward Petersen about the history of Horticultural Hall stated that a watermelon sold for $100 while a bunch of grapes sold for $75 – a very large sum at the time. Gardeners unite With the growing number of summer cottages – actually mansions built on large
estates on the shores of Geneva Lake – the wealthy owners hired professional gardeners to plant and care for the horticulture on these large properties. So many gardeners were hired in the area, that by the early 1900s they organized in a group known as the Gardeners and Foremen’s Association. They would hold flower shows and exhibits along with the fairs on the estates of Levi Leiter and Herbert Moore to showcase their talents and skills. While the area generally had good weather for these shows and fairs, it became obvious that they needed a place to meet that would not be dependent on weather and where they could hold meetings year-round. Simeon Chapin who had a summer home on Geneva Lake, along with additional summer residents formed the Lake Geneva Horticultural Society. Under the direction of Chapin, 100
The courtyard at Horticultural Hall provides a lush setting for a summer wedding. With Horticultural Hall built to surround the courtyard, it protects the space from the outside noise and traffic of busy Lake Geneva in the summer. COURTESY OF HORTICULTURAL HALL Spirit of Geneva Lakes
SPIRIT of GENEVA LAKES
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