The Octagon House, five floors of solid brick construction completed in 1854, was designed and built by John Richards, an early Watertown settler. The house is one of Wisconsin's largest single family residences built prior to the Civil War. Once here he became the first lawyer in Jefferson County, as well as the owner of several mills. In 1849, he married his sweetheart, the former Eliza Forbes.
He promised to build her the finest home in the Wisconsin Territory if she would marry him. The home's construction includes central heating, running water and ventilation systems. In addition to those "modern conveniences," the house features a central spiral staircase which rises from the first floor to the tower room. The Richards family and their descendants lived in the home until 1937, when grandson William Thomas passed away. At that time the remaining family members were faced with what to do with the family home, which had become one of Watertown's most recognizable landmarks. The Richards family offered to sell it to the city for $1, but opposition from the city council and several citizens prevented that from happening. The fledgling Watertown Historical Society then came forward and arranged to purchase the home from the Richards family on the condition that it always be used as a public museum. Since 1939 the Octagon House has been open to the public. The museum is open from May through October. Fully guided tours in the air conditioned museum are given on the hour at Noon, 1 p.m. Admission also includes a self-guided tour of the First Kindergarten in America building and the pioneer barn.
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MUSEUM HOURS
May - open Saturday and Sunday 12-3 p.m., weekdays by appointment
Memorial Day through Labor Day - open 12-3 p.m. daily (closed Tues.) September & October - open Saturday and Sunday, 12-3 p.m., weekdays by appointment. ADMISSION
$10.00 for adults
$9.00 for senior citizens and AAA members
$5.00 for children 6 to 17 years of age
School and tour groups welcome!
