The mansion was constructed using rare materials including mahogany, white oak, and cherry wood imported from overseas.
It originally contained 37 rooms, including 14 bathrooms, a feature that was exceptionally rare for the early 1890s.
Frederick Pabst was a former Great Lakes steamboat captain who invested his wealth into the brewing industry.
The home contains 12 fireplaces, many featuring intricate tile work from various European artisans.
The original structure included a central vacuum system, one of the earliest residential applications of the technology.
After the archdiocese vacated the property, many original interior features were recovered from local antique markets and private collections during restoration.
The mansion serves as the centerpiece for local efforts to preserve Milwaukee's 19th-century architecture along Wisconsin Avenue.
The Pabst Mansion is a Flemish Renaissance Revival-style home built in 1892 for Captain Frederick Pabst, founder of the Pabst Brewing Company. Designed by architects Ferry & Clas, the structure features original wood carvings, ornamental ironwork, and stained glass. After the Pabst family left in 1908, the mansion served as the Archbishop's residence for 67 years. It was saved from demolition in 1975 by Wisconsin Heritages, Inc. and now functions as a house museum documenting Gilded Age aesthetics and Milwaukee's brewing history. The interior houses a collection of original family furnishings and period-appropriate decorative arts. Visitors explore three floors of the mansion, including private quarters and public entertaining spaces. The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The grand staircase and the main entrance foyer, which capture the scale and intricacy of the home's wood craftsmanship.
Use the self-guided audio tour available via your smartphone to learn about specific architectural details at your own pace.
Check the events calendar for seasonal exhibits, such as the widely attended Christmas display, which features elaborate decorations.
Focus on the wood carvings in the dining room and the library, which represent the highest level of craftsmanship in the house.
Do not attempt to touch the woodwork, furniture, or textiles, as the house maintains strict preservation protocols.
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays year-round.
Photography is permitted without flash or tripods; maintain a respectful distance from all displayed artifacts and period furniture.
