Greendale Historical SocietyTo learn more about the history of Greendale, Wisconsin CLICK HERE

Our mission is to preserve and foster appreciation of Greendale, Wisconsin, one of only three American Greenbelt communities.

The Greendale Community Center and Museum

Chronological History of Building

1938: Police /fire building completed; Police department established
5/1/38: Village of Greendale officially opened.
8 -1938: 1st organized fire department meets.
9-15-38: Volunteer fire department is established.
8- 1939: Hose Tower Building (annex) is completed.
12-15-67: New Fire Department. is opened on Loomis Road.
11-12-98: New Police Department is opened on Grange Avenue.

Historical Society Looks Back and Moves Forward

As one of only three (3) “Greenbelt Communities” built by the Federal Government in 1938, the Village of Greendale is very proud of its unique history. The Federal Government built Greendale to provide a “suburban” or “country style” community close to a major city and employment opportunities.

To serve the new community, the Village constructed a building that served as the original Police Station, Fire Station and Municipal Court (6600 Schoolway), as well as the Annex located behind the building in the Municipal Parking Lot that served as the Hose Tower for the Fire Department to dry their hoses and provide additional storage for other municipal equipment.

In 1972, the Fire Department moved to its own Station located at 6200 W. Loomis Road. The Old Police Station continued to house the Police Department and Municipal Court until 1998 when the Village constructed the new Safety Center at 5911 W. Grange Avenue. The Annex has remained in used by the Village and Village Community organizations for storage.

Since 1998 and the move to the Safety Center, the Old Police Station has remained vacant.

Over the years the Village has received several inquiries about renovating or re-using the Old Police Station and Annex for other uses. In 2006 the Village sought renovation and re-use proposals for both buildings. Three (3) proposals were submitted. One proposal came from the Greendale Historical Society to renovate and convert the Old Police Station and Annex into a historical museum, community meeting room, office rental, gift shop and community bathrooms. A second proposal from Robert & Lawrence Popp sought to only convert the Old Police Station into a Community Arts Studio, retail and other possible uses. The Greendale Park & Recreation Department proposed expanding and renovating only the Annex into a daycare center.

After careful consideration to determine what would be the best use for the buildings and the Village as a whole, on July 3, 2007, the Village Board of Trustees selected the Greendale Historical Society’s proposal to convert both the Old Police Station and Annex. The Village will lease the buildings to the Greendale Historical Society for $1 per year for twenty-five years, with five, 5-year lease renewal options.

Village President John R. Hermes said “Greendale is a very special and historic community and utilizing the Old Police Station and Annex as a museum to help promote and educate people about that history was clearly the most attractive option for the buildings. The Village Board of Trustees is very excited by this opportunity and proud to work with the Greendale Historical Society to achieve these goals.”

Greendale Historical Society President at the time, Sally Chadwick said “the Greendale Historical Society is very appreciative of all the Village Board’s help and support in selecting their proposal. The Greendale Historical Society recognizes the opportunity it has been given and has been re-energized to succeed.” The Greendale Historical Society has sought to develop a historical museum in Greendale for many years.

Chadwick noted that the $2 Million fundraising goal necessary to renovate the buildings and make the museum operational will not be easy, but she has every confidence that it will occur. “The history of Greendale and the Greenbelt Communities is so special, once people learn about our proposal we know that they will share our passion to see that history preserved.” Chadwick added, “Today’s a great day for the Village of Greendale, the Greendale Historical Society and history in general.”

The Village of Greendale, including the Old Police Station and Annex are listed on the State and Federal Registry of Historic Places. Any renovations of the buildings are required to maintain the buildings historical significance. Ms. Chadwick noted “we obviously want to preserve the historic integrity of the buildings, and in fact want to make renovations to the buildings to make them return to how they looked in 1938.”

Updates...

Historic Structure Report Next Step for Fire & Police Project

The Greendale Historical Society is taking a major step in the renovation project of the old Fire and Police Station buildings with plans to conduct a Historic Structure Report (HSR). The Society’s board is currently evaluating proposals for an HSR from a number of qualified architecural firms with a final selection slated to be announced soon.

Once a final selection is announced, the chosen firm will conduct an in-depth evaluation of the buildings and will provide a thoughtfully considered argument for selecting the most appropriate approach for long-range plans prior to the commencement of design and construction. The HSR will also outline the scope and anticipated cost of recommended work.

“The Society will be working cooperatively with the selected architects to develop the HSR,” said Board President Ted Mainella. “Plans are to complete the report by late summer, 2009. Evaluation of the recommendations will follow with a full report to Society members by the Board.”

“The HSR will be an important tool for securing funds for the project as most grantors want to see the completed report before committing to the project,” explained Mainella.

The HSR will provide documentary, graphic, and physical information about the property's history and existing condition. An HSR is broadly recognized as an effective part of preservation planning, and will address our goals for the use of the old Fire and Police building and Annex Mainella says.

The HSR also serves as an important guide for all changes made to a historic property during a project — repair, rehabilitation, or restoration -- and can also provide information for ongoing maintenance.

Greendale Village Board Extends Historical Society Lease on July 15

The Greendale Village Board voted unanimously to approve a two year extension on the lease agreement between the Village of Greendale and the Greendale Historical Society for restoration and readaption of the old Police Station and Annex Building. The vote on July 15 was 6-0.

“We are grateful to the Village Board for their support of this important project,” said Greendale Historical Society President Ted Mainella. “I believe this is a vote of confidence from the Village Board. We still have a long way to go, but I believe this is an acknowledgement of the hard work the Historical Society has put in on the project so far.”

The Historical Society will use the lease extension to explore and secure funding sources through grants and fund-raising. The group has already applied for several significant grants.

“The extension was needed due to the nature of grant cycles,” explained Mainella. “The idea that the Historical Society could have raised $2 million in one year was simply unrealistic. We will use this extra time to explore every avenue of funding for this project.

An important next step in the process will be a structrual analysis of the historic buildings. The Historical Society is planning to fund a Historic Structure Report (HSR) to evaulate the current status of the buildings.

“The report will provide a reference on how the buildings may best be restored and will give a solid indication of the costs involved,” says Mainella.