346:. The illuminated space was originally an open light well and is now used for many public events. Within the atrium's large volume, columns, marble wainscoting, oak crown molding, stenciled designs, and plaster ceiling moldings have been restored to their original finishes and colors. Although the first story's original ceiling was removed to open the room to the light well above, its steel structural members were retained to recall the room's original configuration as the postal workspace. The building's corridors, stair halls, and lobbies are adorned with multicolored marble mosaics, oak paneling, and decorative plaster ceilings. The interiors of the 1929-32 addition match the materials and colors used in 1899, harmonizing with the original interior design.
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of
Romanesque ornament, featuring highly carved moldings and decorative stonework surrounding the main entrance. The building's corners are rounded by tall pinnacles with alternating bands of smooth and textured stone and are capped by conical roofs with layered trim. The upper-story walls are smooth, accented with thin, textured stringcourses, rising to gabled dormers that incorporate Romanesque leaf ornament, gargoyles, and finials.
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mail delivery. When an existing, 1859 post office became inadequate for the postal service's growing needs, Congress was persuaded to fund a new, larger building in 1889. It included multiple federal agencies under one roof—housing the U.S. Postal
Service, Courts and Customs Service. Today, the District Courts are the only original tenant remaining in the building.
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excellent example of
Romanesque Revival architecture, featuring a robust display of stone massing and heavy Roman arches. Walls of dark- and light-gray Mount Waldo granite rise to a steeply pitched hipped roof pierced by a variety of gabled projections. A soaring tower framed by pinnacles rises from the center of the facade, terminating in an arcaded
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effect (an artistic illusion of realism). Interior finishes and fixtures were restored, while the exterior stone and brickwork was conserved and repaired. Renovations created more comfortable work spaces and energy-efficient HVAC systems. Through the effort of many collaborators, the building remains
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The facade is broken into recesses and projections, creating a dynamic composition punctuated by an arcaded entrance on the first level and Roman arches over the second- and third-story fenestration. Massive stone forms are relieved with fine decoration. The first story provides the greatest display
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Milwaukee's
Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is a five-story structure, sturdy and picturesque, handsomely detailed, and admirably maintained. Filling the entire city block bound by Michigan, Jackson, and Jefferson Streets, with its facade facing Wisconsin Avenue on the north, the building is an
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A massive seven-year restoration project begun in 1989 revived the building to its original condition. The work involved extensive materials research to determine original paint colors and decorative patterns for the walls and ceilings, including the original hand-painted-and-stenciled designs in a
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When
Milwaukee's Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse was constructed in 1892–99, it epitomized the revolutionized mail handling that had followed the introduction of postal stamps in 1847. By the end of the 19th century, added postal services included registered mail, street letter boxes, and free
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Like the facade, the east and west elevations are ornamented and symmetrically balanced, prominently featuring a projecting gable with a variety of arched fenestration. The 1929-32 addition to the south adds a massive eight-story block at the rear of the original structure. Although its walls are
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The two-story historic U.S. District
Courtroom, located on the third floor, is richly detailed with carved oak paneling and trim on the walls and ceiling. Historic paint finishes have been carefully conserved to their original hue. Fine Romanesque detailing embellishes the arches over the doors,
295:, supervising architect during the late nineteenth century, was the first federal architect to abandon classical forms. Under Hill's influence, federal structures often featured lofty towers that were visible from long distances during the period when few buildings rose above ten stories.
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From 1929 to 1932, construction of a large addition extended the building southward. The addition was raised to seven stories eight years later. In 1989 -96, GSA completed a major renovation and restoration project, which restored the historic interiors to their original brilliance while
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clad in granite and include arched fenestration to match the original building, the extension is distinguished by its flat roof, flattened elevations, and reduced ornamentation.
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The massive granite edifice is a city landmark within the historic district known as
Juneautown and the first ward organized from land owned by
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2017-19 The building's historic granite façade, stone cornice, gutters at the turrets, and the balcony above the north entrance are restored.
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architecture presented a break from the classical style that dominated
Government buildings for most of the 19th century. Designed by
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windows, and the judge's bench. Centered between the two doorways is the room's original ladies' balcony, entirely finished in oak.
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1929-32 An addition to the south substantially increases the building's size. 1940 Two floors are added above the south addition.
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In 1972, the building was designated a
Milwaukee City Landmark, and in 1973, it was listed in the
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Interior spaces on the first through fifth floors are arranged about a vast central
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University and college buildings listed on the
National Register of Historic Places
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of the U.S. Treasury Department, the style was popularized by renowned architect
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Prominent Features: Tower; atrium; Romanesque detailing; oak-paneled courtroom
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Government buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Wisconsin
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Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, Milwaukee, WI : Building Overview
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1892-99 The U.S. Post Office, Courthouse, and Custom House is constructed.
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one of the most venerable displays of architecture in the Milwaukee area.
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List of jails and prisons on the National Register of Historic Places
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U.S. Courthouse & Federal Office Building, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
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United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
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275:(1906). The Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse's imposing
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Mary Ellen Wietczykowski; Donald N. Anderson (1972-07-07).
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1989-96 The building is extensively restored and renovated.
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1972 The building is designated a Milwaukee City Landmark.
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Landmark Status: Milwaukee City Landmark; listed in the
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Map showing the location of Federal Building, Milwaukee
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History of the National Register of Historic Places
540:. U.S. General Services Administration. 2009-08-24.
1115:Richardsonian Romanesque architecture in Wisconsin
1125:National Register of Historic Places in Milwaukee
662:List of U.S. National Historic Landmarks by state
52:Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, August 2003
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415:Primary Materials: Pale gray Mount Waldo granite
1054:National Register of Historic Places portal
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462:NRHP Inventory/Nomination: Federal Building
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602:U.S. National Register of Historic Places
400:Construction Dates: 1892–1899; 1932; 1940
35:U.S. National Register of Historic Places
1110:Federal courthouses in the United States
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273:Northwestern National Insurance Building
412:Architectural Style: Romanesque Revival
1100:Government buildings completed in 1899
1085:Federal buildings in the United States
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437:"National Register Information System"
1105:Buildings and structures in Milwaukee
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490:"Federal Building (Main Post Office)"
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442:National Register of Historic Places
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379:National Register of Historic Places
304:National Register of Historic Places
196:Romanesque, Richardsonian Romanesque
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409:Location: 517 East Wisconsin Avenue
377:1973 The building is listed in the
299:incorporating modern office needs.
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1017:National Historic Preservation Act
563:from websites or documents of the
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494:Architecture and History Inventory
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397:Architect: Willoughby J. Edbrooke
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1120:1899 establishments in Wisconsin
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559: This article incorporates
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318:Interior of the Federal Building
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565:General Services Administration
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970:Federated States of Micronesia
616:Architectural style categories
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496:. Wisconsin Historical Society
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247:. It is a courthouse for the
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104:Show map of the United States
342:capped by an iron-and-glass
16:United States historic place
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327:and a high pyramidal roof.
245:Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
124:515-519 E. Wisconsin Ave.,
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944:Northern Mariana Islands
277:Richardsonian Romanesque
193:Architectural style
534:"GSA - Find a Building"
289:Henry Hobson Richardson
172:3.5 acres (1.4 ha)
939:Minor Outlying Islands
922:Lists by insular areas
636:Keeper of the Register
561:public domain material
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281:Willoughby J. Edbrooke
641:National Park Service
621:Contributing property
466:National Park Service
447:National Park Service
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285:Supervising Architect
153:43.03806°N 87.90444°W
79:Show map of Wisconsin
996:District of Columbia
239:building located at
126:Milwaukee, Wisconsin
158:43.03806; -87.90444
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363:Significant events
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989:Other areas
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549:Attribution
229:post office
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132:Coordinates
1079:Categories
898:Washington
818:New Mexico
813:New Jersey
688:California
500:2019-09-15
478:one photo.
471:2019-09-15
423:References
237:courthouse
231:, Federal
144:87°54′16″W
908:Wisconsin
873:Tennessee
778:Minnesota
753:Louisiana
241:Milwaukee
185:Architect
141:43°2′17″N
1064:Category
893:Virginia
843:Oklahoma
823:New York
798:Nebraska
788:Missouri
773:Michigan
763:Maryland
748:Kentucky
728:Illinois
703:Delaware
693:Colorado
683:Arkansas
344:skylight
208:73000082
121:Location
1010:Related
913:Wyoming
888:Vermont
793:Montana
733:Indiana
713:Georgia
708:Florida
678:Arizona
668:Alabama
848:Oregon
803:Nevada
743:Kansas
718:Hawaii
673:Alaska
609:Topics
340:atrium
325:belfry
235:, and
233:office
980:Palau
878:Texas
758:Maine
723:Idaho
476:With
227:is a
177:Built
934:Guam
883:Utah
838:Ohio
738:Iowa
223:The
180:1892
169:Area
243:in
203:No.
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