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Villa Louis Pond Restoration

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A restoration project has begun for the Villa Louis duck ponds. (Photo by Ted Pennekamp)

 

Villa Louis Historic Site pond 

restoration project in fund-raising, planning stage

By Ted Pennekamp

 

The Wisconsin History Foundation recently received a grant for $1,000 in support of the Villa Louis Pond Restoration Project and much more funding is needed. Susan Caya-Slusser, the director of the Villa Louis Historic Site, said that the project began when the The Friends of Villa Louis stated in the spring of 2013 that they would like their next major fund-raising project for the Villa Louis to be the restoration of what has become known as the Villa Louis duck ponds. Friends of Villa Louis had just successfully completed the restoration of the 1879 Centennial D Steinway Piano and wanted to once again focus on a grounds project, said Caya-Slusser. She noted that in 2007, the Friends of Villa Louis raised funds for the refurbishment of the gazebo that is located on the southeast corner of the lawn. 

“One major goal is to get the ponds back to their original, smaller, historic size,” said Caya-Slusser in noting the that the ponds have seen some significant changes over the years. “In some cases, especially on the east pond, we are missing six to eight feet of original shoreline.” Caya-Slusser said that the addition of a passageway with bridges was necessary with the construction of the Visitor Center in 1979, located to the south of the ponds.  

The project is complex, said Caya-Slusser, and will most likely, due to funding, be done in phases. Work will include drainage of the ponds and excavation of the channels, all with the goal of prepping and preparing for the installation of different layers of stone, rip-rap, stone stops and soil. “The end goal will be stabilizing and beautifying this prominent and beloved feature. Landscaping and irrigation are also in the plans,” she said. “We do have blueprints and drawings in the archives that will help us in determining the shape and size of the ponds.” 

Caya-Slusser said that in all seasons, through four generations, the ponds have added a brilliant shine to the estate. Sadly, the ponds have suffered significant damage from harsh winters and other environmental stresses. She said that the project will replace several lost trees, restore the ponds to their original size, and provide a more complete visitor experience for generations to come. 

The overall cost of the project is estimated to be around $100,000, said Caya-Slusser. If people wish to contribute to this project, they can contact either Site Director Susan Caya-Slusser or Friends of Villa Louis President Diane Witt. All donations are tax deductible. Updates on the project and fund-raising goals and events can be followed by liking both the Villa Louis and the Friends of Villa Louis Facebook pages. 

In addition to fund-raising efforts, Caya-Slusser said that an engineering firm has been contacted to help with the planning. “We have had the pleasure of consulting with the Bruce Company of Middleton, Wis.,” she said. “The engineers from Bruce Company have generously donated specs and their time to help us with the planning of this major rehabilitation project.”

Caya-Slusser said that the ponds are a historic feature on the grounds of Villa Louis, created by Louis Dousman to add to the park like setting of the family estate. The “Fish Ponds” as they were called by the Dousman family, were created after Louis’ 1873 marriage to Nina Sturgis. Louis and Nina spent several months traveling on an extended wedding trip, but Louis was in constant contact with  Peter Nolan, the Estate Manager, and work on the estate continued. An artesian well was drilled, which flowed into a circular fountain, then followed a narrow inlet into two ponds. A bridge was built to connect the two ponds and Kilmarnock willows were planted along the shore.   Gravel and brick paths meandered across the lawn between geometrically shaped flower beds. Trees and shrubs were planted, a grotto established, and a gazebo erected. “Curious to Villa Louis staff,” said Caya-Slusser, “we see in historic photographs that at some point the Dousman’s erected a fence separating the ponds from the artesian well creating a more private south lawn.”

The pond project is a different type of project for the Villa Louis, said Caya-Slusser. While managed by the Wisconsin Historical Society, all state buildings are owned by the Department of Administration. The DOA allocates funds each biennium to go toward a certain number of building projects for each state agency. The pond is a unique feature for a museum/state property, so unfortunately, no project funds can be allocated to help with this project.

For more information about the Villa Louis Pond Restoration Project, interested persons can contact Susan Caya-Slusser at (608) 326-2721 ext. 101 or by email at susan.cayaslusser@wisconsinhistory.org.

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