Wisconsin Frame of Mind

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Hartford

For more information about Hartford, visit www.hartfordchamber.org

Hartford bustles with life. The renovated buildings along downtown Hartford’s Main Street maintain their 19th century look, while housing a variety of specialty shops and restaurants appealing to 21st-century tastes. The beauty of the landscape surrounding Hartford is exceptional, with high hills and scenic vistas.

Hartford is one of the best places in the U.S. to explore twentieth century industrial aesthetics. The automobile, the most American of all creations, is a machine whose roots run deep in this community, and this connection to the automobile is well-showcased in the Wisconsin Automotive Museum, one of the finest and most fascinating museums of any kind that you’ll find anywhere.

Bed & breakfasts and several hotels in the area make Hartford a great place to stay while you’re putting yourself into the Wisconsin Frame of Mind. Several unique restaurants offer excellent food and a dining experience you won’t soon forget.

Wisconsin Automotive Museum

Wisconsin Automotive Museum

Americans have often likened classic automobile designs to works of art. At the Wisconsin Automotive Museum, more than 100 classic cars show development of this most American art form. There is a special focus on the Kissel, manufactured in Hartford from 1906 to 1931. The Kissel sold for $2,000 in a day when Fords were selling for a mere $500. Of the 35,000 Kissels produced, only 150 are known to exist today—13 of them in this museum, and each a true work of art. You don’t have to be a gear-head to be fascinated by this excellent museum.

Schauer Arts & Activities Center

Schauer Arts and Activities Center

Adjoining the Wisconsin Automotive Museum is the Schauer Arts and Activities Center. The comprehensive arts and theatre complex houses a 57 1-seat theatre, an art gallery and the Community School of the Arts. The theatre hosts a variety of musical and dramatic performances throughout the year.

Kettle Moraine State Forest - Pike Lake Unit

The abundance of artists and craftspeople in this part of Wisconsin is in no small part due to the picturesque landscape, which can best be seen at the Pike Lake Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. Trails run throughout the forest, allowing visitors to walk through a varied landscape. A nature trail allows you to appreciate the natural flora and fauna close up. Several resorts are located along the shoreline of Pike Lake and in the area.

Ballroom

Chandelier Ballroom

View performances and see the splendid interior of the Chandelier Ballroom, a performance venue with a history dating back to the early 1900s. During the 1930s Big Band era, some of the most popular bands played the ballroom, including Lawrence Welk, Woody Herman, Luis Armstrong, Tommy Dorsey and the Andrew Sisters. A number of musical performances are still held here. Visit the events page for a complete calendar of Chandelier Ballroom Shows.

Shrine of Mary

Holy Hill, National Shrine of Mary

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a Wisconsin landmark, Holy Hill is one of the most awe-inspiring sights on your Wisconsin Frame of Mind tour. The observation tower located in one of Holy Hill’s skypiercing spires offers a breath-taking view. The neo-Romanesque Church features mosaics, stained-glass windows and sculpture. The 32nd Annual Arts & Crafts Fair is held here in mid-September and features the work of over 220 artists and craftspeople.

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