Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum

Villa Terrace is a decorative arts museum housed in a white brick building with Italian style, built on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. The structure features terracotta tiles, courtyards, and views toward the water.

The house was commissioned in 1924 by Lloyd Smith and based on a villa design from Lombardy. It was later converted to a museum while maintaining its original architectural character.

The museum displays decorative works from different periods that visitors encounter throughout its rooms. The collection shows how wealthy people once lived and what objects they valued in their homes.

The museum sits on a bluff with good access from the street and offers visitors a natural overview of the grounds. The tour path leads through several rooms, so plan enough time for your visit.

The gardens surrounding the building were restored according to a 1997 design plan and include historic water features and fish ponds. These grounds show how a wealthy family once organized their outdoor spaces.

Location: Milwaukee

Website: http://villaterracemuseum.org

GPS coordinates: 43.05690,-87.88116

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:09