Couple Reopens Historic Wisconsin Dairy As Community Center
On Washington Island, Wisconsin, a dairy barn built in 1916 had been sitting idle and decaying for about forty years--until Scott Sonoc from Chicago and his wife, Marsha Williams, purchased the property and got to work. Using local labor, the couple completely restored the Historic Island Dairy, which ran from 1916-1968. As The Green Bay Press Gazette reports, Sonoc and Williams plan to use the landmark building as an event center and educational facility:
After two years all that remains of the original two-story structure are the stone outer walls that surround the lower half of the building and the upper floor’s wood ceiling.
When visitors first step into the building’s foyer they can watch a video about the island and look at the timeline of Washington Island’s history. Visitors can also check out The Famous Old Cheese and Ale House Gallery.
Eventually Sonoc and Williams plan a small exhibit of island cheese factory artifacts, donated by locals who had worked at the factory, including milk bottles and Washington Island milk caps.
