Last Monday Mom joined me on the road and we made a few stops to celebrate her recent birthday and Mother's Day.
We stayed in Wausau at the Stewart Inn which was built in 1906 by renowned architect George Maher for Hiram Stewart, a local lumber baron. In the second half of the 19th century men would head to the north come winter, cut down trees and drag the logs to the Wisconsin River.
When the river thawed in the spring the logs would come rushing into Wausau and the workers would pluck logs from the river, mill the lumber and send it on its way to an expanding country in need of materials. Hiram was one of the owners of the Barker-Stewart Mill which operated from 1881 to 1915.
Like Louis Sullivan, Maher used ornamentation based on native plants and geometry. Maher referred to his personal approach as the Motif-Rhythm theory. Using a native plant, often in combination with a geometric shape, the motif would be repeated as a decorative element throughout the design; in the art glass of the windows, the tiles and woodwork of the fireplaces, in stenciling on walls and ceilings, as a decorative element on furniture, on light fixtures and any item created for a house.
In Maher’s theory, this repeated use would visually tie the design together. In the case of the Stewart home he used tulips and a tripartite arch.
My only complaint about Prairie style or Arts and Crafts homes is the use of white or beige walls with the woodwork. Warm colors from nature do more to draw out the glow of the wood in my opinion!
The sculpture "The Dance" which Wayne and I saw when we visited last summer was still on display, which was exactly what I was hoping when I suggested we stop there.
Mom really enjoyed all the bird inspired art on the grounds, and anyone can visit the exterior of the museum for free even when it is closed like it was on Monday.
When I stopped in to say hello to a client she recommended we go to "2510" for dinner, which turned out to be a great suggestion because they give free birthday cake to you during your birthday week.
Oh you are so lucky to be able to spend birthday/mother's day with your mother.
ReplyDeleteWhat I wouldn't give to have my mom here for that. You picked such a a beautiful Inn! I love all the bird sculptures. Are those Sand Hill Cranes? Fantastic!! What a wonderful restaurant too. I'll bet they hate to see senior citizens coming for their birthdays. Big percentage. HA! Happy Birthday to your mom!!