Gideon C. Hixon House, house in La Crosse, Wisconsin
The Gideon C. Hixon House is a large residence built around 1860 in the Italianate style, featuring tall windows and detailed woodwork throughout its structure. The home retains much of its original Victorian-era furnishings and displays how interiors were designed during the mid-1800s.
The house was built in 1858 by Gideon Hixon, a pioneer and later successful lumber businessman, and his family occupied it for many decades. Descendants donated it to the Historical Society in 1965, and after major restoration work from 2004 to 2005, it reopened as a museum.
The house reflects how a wealthy family lived during the Victorian era, with furnishings and design choices from that period visible throughout the rooms. The garden served as a social space for events, showing how prosperous families used their homes as centers for community gatherings and entertaining.
The house opens from late spring through early fall with regular tours available daily in the afternoon without advance reservation. Group visits and school tours can be arranged year-round but require scheduling ahead of time.
A notable feature inside is Mrs. Hixon's Turkish Nook, a small corner decorated with exotic style elements from the Victorian era. This rare room design reveals how wealthy families of that time enjoyed incorporating foreign and ornamental touches into their homes.
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