Kemper Hall

Kemper Hall is a Renaissance Revival building on the Lake Michigan waterfront that comprises multiple connected structures. The grounds include a chapel, an observatory, an arts center, and the original mansion from the 1800s spread across about 43 acres (17 hectares).

Charles Durkee, an early Kenosha settler and U.S. Senator, built the original mansion in 1861 and later donated it to the local Episcopal church. The property then transformed into a boarding school that operated for over a century.

The place served as a center for girls' education for more than a century, shaping the lives of young women from the surrounding area. Visitors can still walk through spaces where students once studied, competed in sports, and gathered for prayer.

The property now operates as an event and conference center open to visitors with educational programs throughout the year. The waterfront setting makes it easy to access, and you should plan enough time to explore the various buildings and grounds.

The Chemistry Lab here was one of the first laboratories in Wisconsin built specifically for women's scientific training. This pioneering facility allowed students to gain hands-on experience in science at a time when such opportunities for girls were rare.