As the Manitowoc County Historical Society’s Meeme House restoration project nears completion, it is telling a story nearly 180 years in the making.
The Meeme House’s history began in 1847 when brothers Michael and Andreas Herr arrived at the location where the structure would later be built.
The twin brothers immigrated from Germany, making a stop first in the Sheboygan area, ending that journey in the Township of Meeme in 1849.
The house was built by Michael on Green Bay Road on his 80-acre farm, which bordered Andreas’ 80-acre property.
The house was then passed on and operated by Michael’s son.
The building featured several overnight rooms for lodging, a tavern on the first floor, a dry goods store, and a large ballroom and stage on its second floor.
One of the building’s most memorable pieces of history is that second-floor stage’s curtain, which features a painting of a rural landscape.
The painting’s background depicts the Swiss Alps Mountain Range in the German countryside, paying homage to the Herr brothers’ homeland.
It was also used as a voting location before a new poll house was built in 1900. Other notable happenings of the time include being the location of a Civil War rally, which saw volunteers walk to Manitowoc the next day to join the unit.
The Meeme House stayed in the Herr family until 1906 when it was bought by Peter DeGrott, who ran the Inn until selling the building to Joe Schwartz in 1909.
Following Joe’s passing in 1947, his wife Minnie took over running the tavern for another 8 years.
The Meeme House Circa 1910
In 1955, the Meeme House Tavern was passed to the Schwartz’s daughter, Valeria.
Valeria and her husband, John Sessler, made a name for themselves and the tavern under the name Sessler’s Meeme House.
The Manitowoc County Historical Society then purchased the house following Valeria’s passing in 2012.
In the 13 years since purchasing the home, the Historical Society has been hard at work relocating and restoring the building to its former glory of the 1800s.
Volunteers are currently in the final stages of the restoration project as they complete millwork, doors, and add period furnishings from the 1870s.
Currently, the $1.5 million project is less than $400,000 away from raising enough money to complete the Meeme House restoration.
Despite facing numerous roadblocks, the house is scheduled to be opened at the Pinecrest Village later this year in hopes of being a year-round space to tell stories of the county’s history for generations to come.
If you are interested in learning more about the history of the Meeme House or making a donation to help the project reach its completion, you can visit manitowoccountyhistory.org/meemehouse.
