Benjamin Church House

The Benjamin Church House is a residence in the Greek Revival style with four fluted Doric columns marking the front facade and a balanced floor layout. The structure features two symmetrical bedroom sections and now stands in Estabrook Park, where the Milwaukee County Historical Society manages and presents it to visitors.

Built in 1843 by Benjamin Church, a carpenter who helped settle the area, this house ranks among the oldest homes still standing from Milwaukee's early years. A government preservation program relocated the entire building to its current location in 1938 to protect it from destruction.

The interior displays household items and furnishings that reflect how a prosperous family lived during the 1800s. Visitors can see how people arranged their homes and what objects mattered to them in daily life.

The house is now located within a park and is maintained by a historical society that conducts guided tours during warmer months. Visitors should verify operating hours in advance, as access to the building is seasonal and not available year-round.

The entire structure was moved intact from its original location in Kilbourntown and reassembled at the new site several miles away. This relocation in the 1930s was an ambitious effort to rescue an important piece of local history from destruction.

Location: Shorewood

Inception: 1843

Architectural style: Greek Revival architecture

Address: Parkway Drive

GPS coordinates: 43.09210,-87.89830

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:28