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Historical Background
The Victorian mansion that houses the Rahr-West was originally the home of Joseph and Mary Vilas, one of Manitowoc's pioneer families. Built between 1891 and 1893 at a cost of $35,000, the 13 bedroom house was designed by Milwaukee architects George Ferry and Alfred Clas. In 1910 Rahr Malting Company president Reinhardt Rahr bought the estate for his family, who lived there until 1941 when his widow donated the house to the City of Manitowoc for the use as a museum and civic center.
In 1975 a modern exhibition wing was added with donations by John D. and Ruth West of Manitowoc and the Rahr Foundation. This was augmented in 1986 with the construction of a wing for the exhibition and storage of the museum's permanent collection of American art, again donated by the Wests. The Rahr Mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the museum is affiliated with the American Association of Museums.
Interior
Mansion First Floor
PorteCochere
Once an open carriageway, the coach port was enclosed during construction of the exhibition wing in 1975. Today it provides a pleasant transition between the old and new areas of the museum, maintaining the brick arches and other architectural detail original to the Victorian mansion. Visitors may proceed up the steps to the first floor of the mansion.
Central Gallery
Originally two rooms - a reception hall and dining room - this area is now used as a 19th century painting gallery. The entrance vestibules, with their stained glass doors and decorative woodwork, were modernized in a 1950 renovation, and restored in 1979. A fireplace partition near the stairs was also removed in 1950, creating a unified area for the display of the museum's 19th century collection.Rahr Parlor
After serving for more than twenty years as an exhibition gallery, this room was completely restored to its 1910 appearance in 1977 with a gift from Mrs. John (Margaret Rahr) Hamilton, under the direction of Mrs. Guido R. Rahr. Wall covering of silk and a bordered rug recreate the Rahr period of the house, augmented by original furniture, a bronze bust sculpted by Reinhardt Rahr, and a photograph of his family. The fireplace, one of six originally in the house, suggests a late-Victorian return to Colonial styles with fluted columns, floral swags, and dentils, all topped by an oval, bevel-edged mirror.
The Victorian Rooms
These separate but adjacent spaces were renovated in 1994 to compliment the museum's collection of 19th century paintings and selected furnishings, including the Regency square piano donated by Ruth West, and Victorian cabinets purchased by the museum from the Edith Tadych collections. The small plant conservatory is an original feature of this area.
Mansion Second Floor
John P. Nash Memorial Library
This former bedchamber, with its original mantel and bay window, was renovated in 1995 with donations from the family of John P. Nash, a prominent Manitowoc attorney. Books and periodicals about art and history are available to the public in this quiet Victorian setting. A paneled door near the bookcase conceals a marble washbasin, an 1890s convenience.
Schwartz Ivories Room
Once a dressing or servant's room, this area now houses the Simon Schwartz Collection of Chinese Ivories, bequeathed to the museum in 1973 by the Two Rivers industrialist and philanthropist. Representing more than three hundred years of the intricate art of ivory carving, the collection includes more than forty rare pieces.
Second Floor Hall
Traditionally a passageway between bedchambers, the hall features a splendid view of the curved stair banister and leaded-glass windows, and a 1910 art glass "shower" light fixture with Quezal shades in gold tones. The fixture was originally installed in the lower entrance hall.Porcelain Room
Formerly a bedchamber, this room now houses a collection of porcelain sculptures created by Boehm Studios. Each piece is hand-painted porcelain and part of a limited series. The collection was developed through private gifts and memorials.
Doll Room
The extensive collection of dolls was developed and donated by Mrs. Guido Rahr, reflecting her travels around the world. Through their construction and costumes, they represent ceremonial, folklore, or popular figures of their countries of origin. The furnished doll house was donated by Amy Brady of Manitowoc and displays 1930s furnishings from Marshall Field's Department Store. The Victorian dining room with its furnishings was purchased at auction by the museum.
Kamogawa Room
Featured in this room is a collection of exchange gifts from Manitowoc's Sister City in Japan. Begun in 1993, the purpose of this relationship is to foster understanding of cultural, educational and economic policies between our two cities. Gifts representing Manitowoc's lifestyle have been given to a similar area in Kamogawa.
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