3989. See the Galloway House in Fond du Lac

One day I was talking to my mom and she mentioned she wanted to go to the Galloway House in Fond du Lac. I told her I have wanted to go there but never have gotten around to going. She convinced my dad to go and we met in Fond du Lac for lunch and then to visit the Galloway House and Village.

The Galloway House and Village is a historical site ran by the Fond du Lac Historical Society. The House is the original Galloway Family home and the village is comprised of other buildings from around the county. The village has many buildings you would typically find in a late 1800s, early 1900s village. Each building contains artifacts specific to that business so you can get see what life was really like. Except for the Galloway House, all the other buildings are part of a self-guided tour. There is a tour guide that tells about the mansion.

When we got to the village, I was a little skeptical. There were no cars in the parking lot and the buildings looked run down. It turned out that they weren’t quite open yet because the volunteers for the morning shift never showed up. Normally they are open 10-4 on Sundays and the one volunteer was hoping the 1:00 volunteers would show up. While we were browsing the main building, another couple walked in and they decided to open.

You can actually start the tour in the museum which has artifacts from before Wisconsin was a state up through at least the Vietnam War. It was crowded and not that spectacular. Mom and I had a good laugh about the baby bassinets wondering which one we should get for my brother or if they could use a diaper washer.

There were a lot of random artifacts such as this kraut fork…

or an airplane of sorts....

a police motorcycle...

or maybe this old fire box

After we checked out the museum, we started to explore the village. Some of the buildings were more exciting than others. I wish they were a little more interactive.

I did have fun sitting in school

Playing in the toy shop

And working in the print shop

About halfway through the village, we came to the Galloway House. At first I wasn’t sure it was open because all the doors were closed. However, the lights were on so I checked it out. Of course it was open… it just had the AC going. What a glorious feeling on a hot day.

The Galloway house was home to the Galloways who were prominent dairy farmers in Fond du Lac and later statesmen and furniture sellers I believe. The house started out as a small tree trunk cabin and ended up as the mansion today with 3 additions added on over the years.

Original Cabin

Our tour guide was very informative explaining the history of the house, the Galloways, as well as some of the unique features in the house including the intercom system. After explain the rooms downstairs, we headed up stairs to see the bedrooms. Edwin P Galloway, who was the last Galloway to live in the house, had his own room and all the toys in his room were his actual toys growing up as a boy. Before he died, he would sit on the front porch and tell visitors about growing up in the house. That would have been interesting to hear.

Original Carpet with G for Galloway in it

After leaving the house we continued to tour the village. However, we didn’t pay too much attention to the map and missed several buildings including the Mill, the Caboose, and the Smithy. Apparently all these buildings were behind the carriage house. I should have looked at the map more carefully. I want to go back tell them I missed all these buildings, and ask if I can get a refund. To be honest, we never saw them or a path leading to them. I kind of saw the farm but I wasn’t sure if it was part of the village or just storage.

Apparently there were scavenger hunts too. I saw the sheets after we were done. I would love a good scavenger hunt. Maybe then we wouldn't have missed all those buildings.

The hubby asked if it was worth $10 and I said if we didn’t get to go in the house, probably not but the house alone was worth the $10 admission charge. I do hope I get back one day to see the rest of it. It was a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon with Mom and Dad.

A Sunday Morning Adventure

Mom ordered this Wisconsin Travel guide and was telling me about Lakeside Park in Fond du Lac with the lighthouse and train. She was mainly telling me about it so my brother could take my nephew but I was interested it in seeing the lighthouse. I like lighthouses, especially ones you can climb. When I heard that I could climb this one, I wanted to go.

Mom made plans with me to meet them in Fond du Lac for lunch and then go to the Galloway House. I thought I would stop at the lighthouse on the way home. Once mom found out that there was an A&W in Fond du Lac, she wanted to go there for lunch. Well A&W and the lighthouse are 2 minutes apart. It was much easier for me to stop there on the way to lunch.

I knew there was a going to be a car show at the park from my research but what I didn’t know was the lack of parking. I almost had a spot right by the lighthouse but I thought it was too good to be true and passed it up. I ended up walk ½ mile back to the lighthouse which was fine since I need to get my steps in anyways.

The lighthouse was built in 1932 at the southern end of Lake Winnebago. It is a small lighthouse -- 40 feet. There are only about 60 steps to go up to the top.

 A little motivational graffiti

Visitors can climb the lighthouse free of charge from 8 AM – Sunset from April to October When I drove past there were several people on the observation deck but by the time I walked back to it, I was the only one on top. There is a nice view of Lake Winnebago and the surrounding area. 

On the walls there are a few pictures describing the history of the lighthouse and area. It isn’t much but there really doesn’t need to be.

After climbing the lighthouse, I wander through the car show.  There were a good number of cars. However being married to the hubby for all these years, I have learned to hone in Fords…especially Mustangs. I like all cars especially different looking ones. While there were plenty of cars that I like to look at, there were only a handful of Fords. While I enjoyed the car show, it would have been nice to share it with someone. Maybe once the hubby cuts back on umping, we can go to the car show together.

Since I still had time before I had to meet mom and dad for lunch, I continued to explore the park. I found a covered bridge that lead to the petting zoo.

There were a couple of deer in a pen to the left. I didn’t check out the rest of the petting zoo because I got sidetracked by the railroad tracks.  

They went through a tunnel and I thought that was cool. The train is a small train that went around the perimeter of the petting zoo. 

Then I saw the carousel. If I had my nephew, I probably would have rode it but I might have gotten funny looks if I ask for 1 ticket to ride the carousel.

There also was another little kiddie ride. Each ride was 1 ticket and each ticket was a dollar. You could also rent paddleboats and canoes.

I spent about an hour in the park climbing the lighthouse, wandering through the car show, and exploring. It was a nice way to spend a Sunday morning. I wish I had more time to rent a paddle boat or something. Maybe one day I will get back and rent one. I do like adventures by myself but there do sometimes have downfalls like not being able to rent a paddleboat. Alas, until the next adventure…