Soldiers Home Foundation

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Home Wadsworth Library

Our Buildings - Wadsworth Library

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As the population of Old Main soared, new construction was necessary to house support services. The Wadsworth Library (Bldg. 3) was built in 1891 for that purpose, with $12,000 from the Home’s General Post Funds.

In 1905, it was named for Major James S. Wadsworth, a U.S. Senator from New York who was the President of the Board of Managers. The library remains today mostly as it began—a library and a quiet place for veterans to read, study, and contemplate under the beauty of an original skylight. A narrow, winding staircase leads to the library’s balcony level with original walnut bookcases and a dumbwaiter that is still used to transport books and other supplies between the two floors.

The library is the best-preserved and in the best condition of the primary historic district village buildings.

 

1889 Chapel Update

Current donations and our goal:

fundraiser ideas

The Milwaukee Soldiers Home Foundation, Inc. has, to date, raised over $200,000 toward restoring the National Soldiers Home Historic District's 1889 Chapel. We've used donations to complete lead, asbestos and animal abatement at the Chapel as well as architectural plans and the required Historic Structures Report. In addition, we've obtained $1.37 million in National Park Service tax credits toward the $6 million project. We need your help to meet the immediate need of raising $500,000 to begin Phase I of the Chapel Restoration project, restoring the damaged Chapel's roof, the first Phase of the Chapel Restoration Project. To donate cash, goods, or time and talent to the project, visit the Chapel Restoration section of this Web site.