Wauwatosa Historical Society

Efforts to Preserve the Eschweiler Buildings

In 1998, the Wauwatosa Historical Society (WHS) sponsored the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) nomination for the Milwaukee County School of Agriculture and Domestic Economy buildings, commonly known as "the Eschweiler Buildings." Since its NRHP designation, WHS has actively encouraged the preservation and reuse of these historic structures located at the northwest corner of the County Grounds. Most recently, the UW-Milwaukee Real Estate Foundation purchased this land from Milwaukee County and is working with a developer for the site.WHS continues to advocate for the adaptive reuse of these buildings as the focal point of any potential development.

In May, the WHS sent a letter of appeal to Kathleen Ehley, Mayor of Wauwatosa, and in July, to David Gilbert, President of the UW-Milwaukee Real Estate Foundation, and copied these letters to all involved and interested parties. These letters reaffirm our commitment to the importance of preserving all of the Eschweiler-designed buildings because of their historic value to, and enrichment of, the community.

If you would like more information on the progress of this issue, please follow the meeting schedule for the City of Wauwatosa Historic Preservation Commission, the City of Wauwatosa Community Development Committee, and the City of Wauwatosa Common Council. To express your views on this important topic, we urge you to contact your city representatives.