County executive approves project to restore historical farmhouse and barn in Greendale
After sitting vacant for over 10 years, the former Stelzer farmhouse and dairy barn in Greendale is finally getting a makeover.
On Oct. 23, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley signed the legislation approving the restoration plan for the Loomis barn and guest house located along the Root River Parkway Corridor in the Village of Greendale.
"It is great to be here in Greendale this afternoon," Crowley said at the event. "We all know that stronger, and healthier neighborhoods require quality development that enhance the quality of life for all of our residents, at the same time."
The property was originally a functioning farm and farmhouse. Throughout its history, it has been used as a youth hostel, event space and temporary housing for volunteers. In 1936, the U.S. government decided to purchase this property along with four other farms in the area, to create what is now the village of Greendale, according to Virginia Emmons, the main person who organized the planning of restoring the barn.
Crowley put an emphasis on Milwaukee County's commitment to preserving the structures' historical heritage.
"We have the power to become the healthiest county in the state of Wisconsin, while also protecting what makes Milwaukee County very unique and very special," said Crowley. "That is why today I will be signing legislation approving the restoration plan for the Loomis barn and guest house and returning them to productive use in the Greendale community."
There are still no set plans on what the barn and farmhouse will become, but the project will be costly, according to Milwaukee County Parks Executive Director Guy Smith.
The estimated cost to repair the farmhouse is about $280,000 and the dairy barn about $514,000, Smith said.
"But we're really excited, and frankly thankful to Virginia and Brett because they reached out to us unsolicited and said we want to do something good for our community," Smith said, "They are going to turn these historic structures back into something we all can enjoy and the community can enjoy."
Getting the barn restored was a plan led by Emmons and her husband Brett McNaught. The couple met about 20 years ago when they were both Peace Corps volunteers in Niger, West Africa. Since then, the two have committed their lives to community service. In June, the village's plan commission reviewed a concept improvement plan that Emmons submitted for the property.
The 1,650-square-foot farmhouse has had limited maintenance over the years. The barn will need structural repairs such as roofing, flooring and new walls. The buildings were originally set to be demolished.
The couple heard century-old stories about the property, which motivated them to restore the barn.
"We've been collecting stories like this for the last several years, and about two years ago I reached out to Guy Smith personally," said Emmons. "I sent him an email and probably within an hour he responded to me and got me connected to his team of Jeremy and then James Tarantino, who really has been the steward of making this happen for the community, along with (Milwaukee County Supervisor) Kathleen Vincent as our champion."
McNaught said the project will be a community effort.
"We welcome the enthusiasm of everyone coming by here as they bike by, walk by, and coming in and asking questions and looking around and wanting to get more information about not only what we're doing, but the history behind this space," McNaught said. "And that's been a truly wonderful experience these last couple of months, and I look forward to keeping that dialog (open)."
Emmons' efforts are the reason the resolution was finally put into effect, Vincent said.
"She (Virginia) has demonstrated a genuine commitment to this project and for those that live here on the H-section," Vincent said. "I can guarantee you that Virginia Emmons and her husband Brett McNaught care about this community intimately, and Virginia's mother is an original resident of Greendale. She was a village trustee way back in the day, and they have a vested interest in this community and making sure that this is something that Greendale can be proud of."
Contact Adrienne Davis at amdavis@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @AdriReportss.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Restoration plan approved for former Stelzer farmhouse and barn
