PEEK INTO THE PAST. The Cook-Rutledge Mansion was home to three families – the Bingham, Rutledge and Cook families – from 1873 through 1973, marking a century as a residential home in Chippewa Falls. 

In Chippewa Falls, a grand High Victorian Italianate mansion – fully restored and furnished to the year 1887 – sits nestled among a grove of old-growth maple and walnut trees.

Here, the Cook-Rutledge Mansion (505 W Grand Ave.) remains as a glimpse into the city’s industrial past, all brought to life through personalized tours and intimate event offerings.

Katie Fenno, the Cook-Rutledge Mansion’s curator and caretaker, has a unique view of the historical landmark. The 14th person to take on the position, Fenno began her role in Sept. 2024 at the age of 24; she remains the youngest person to have ever done so.

“Being in this house… it is a very warm feeling – getting to know the people that have lived here 50 years ago, 100 years ago, 150 years ago,” Fenno said. “I feel incredibly lucky that I am here and taking care of their space.”

A graduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Fenno draws inspiration from her past and ongoing academic vocations in historic preservation and restoration, cultural anthropology and public history.

This background provides her with the knowledge to delve into archives and gather information about the house and its former residents.

"You have got to be a tourist in your own backyard to truly appreciate the area we live in. It is a very warm feeling getting to know the people that have lived here 50 years ago, 100 years ago, 150 years ago."

KATIE FENNO

CURATOR & CARETAKER, COOK-RUTLEDGE MANSION

Beyond archival research of the mansion, her primary passions lie in the connections made with local visitors and out-of-town guests through personal tours of the Cook-Rutledge Mansion.

“It’s the little stories that I am able to tell people, in relation to different objects in the mansion,” Fenno said of the tours. “Those are the most special things about the house; when you can tie these items to actual people that lived and or worked here a hundred years ago.”

The Cook-Rutledge Mansion was home to three families from 1873 through 1973, marking a century as a residential home in the Chippewa Valley. Between the Bingham, Rutledge and Cook families – Fenno’s historical recountings highlight the area’s booming lumber industry, seasonal celebrations and outdoor recreation.

“You have got to be a tourist in your own backyard to truly appreciate the area we live in,” Fenno said. “At the Cook-Rutledge Mansion, we go room by room and talk about various architectural features or family stories that relate to the local area or the Chippewa Valley more broadly.”

In the mansion’s kitchen today,for example, lay a bowl of decorative oranges. Fenno shared, “in 1906, Mr. Rutledge purchased 800 crates of oranges so that everybody in Chippewa Falls could enjoy an orange for Christmas.”

Sweet stories like these are just the beginning of immersive experiences for guests of the Cook-Rutledge Mansion. Annually, the mansion and its board of directors offer seasonal events – from candlelit and flashlight tours in the spookier fall months, to a Christmas open house during the holiday season.

While these volunteer-led efforts act as fundraisers for the mansion’s upkeep, the most notable supporting event continues to be its annual thrift sale on Father’s Day weekend. This year, the same offering will continue June 18, 19 and 20 in Chippewa Falls, with tours of the mansion available on Thursday and Friday.

“People in the community bring things they would normally donate to Savers or Goodwill, so that we can sell it and benefit our own organization,” Fenno said. “We also have plenty of antiques that come in.”

“We’re hoping to try and do more things every year… but it is quite a bit of work – that’s another reason why we need volunteers,” she continued.

The mansion’s board of directors – seven and counting – encourage locals to not just take a stroll through the mansion, but consider volunteering as a tour guide, becoming a coordinator, or to assist with general maintenance.

With the dedication of Fenno, the Cook-Rutledge Mansion Board, plus continued community spirit, these efforts keep the gateway open to the enchanting history of this Chippewa Falls residence.

To inquire about a personalized tour of the Cook-Rutledge Mansion, call 715-723-7181. Learn more about events, rentals and volunteer opportunities at the Chippewa Falls residence, online at cookrutledgemansion.org.

The Cook-Rutledge Mansion

Address: 505 W. Grand Ave., Chippewa Falls

Website: EauClaireEventDistrict.com

Phone: (715) 723-7181

Socials: @CookRutledgeMansion

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