Paine Art Center and Gardens

The Paine Art Center is a Tudor Revival estate with art galleries and twenty outdoor garden rooms spread across approximately 3 acres. The mansion's collection includes paintings, sculptures, furniture, and decorative objects, while the gardens feature diverse plant collections and designed spaces with pathways and water features.

Construction of the estate began in 1927 for lumber baron Nathan Paine and his wife Jessie, but was halted by the Great Depression and completed in 1946. The family later transferred the property to a nonprofit organization, which opened it to the public in 1948.

The estate displays paintings from the French Barbizon school, American artworks, sculptures, Persian rugs, and English decorative pieces throughout its galleries. These works reflect the tastes and connections of the family who gathered the collection during their travels.

Access is available Tuesday through Sunday year-round, with guided tours available through the art galleries and gardens. It helps to check hours ahead of your visit and wear comfortable shoes, as the gardens require substantial walking.

Notably, the Paine family never actually lived in the mansion, instead conceiving it from the outset as an art collection and exhibition space. This unusual choice shapes how the place operates and how visitors experience it today.

Location: Wisconsin

Architects: Bryant Fleming

GPS coordinates: 44.03528,-88.55833

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:43