Brisbane House has been lovingly restored and it's all about inclusivity, great comfort, beautiful scenery, extraordinary style. Built in 1868 by an abolitionist from South Carolina, we've restored it so you can enjoy your down time, celebrate with friends and family (and Fido), and feel emboldened by the spirit of Brisbane to create positive change in the world!
Brisbane House just won the State Historical Society's 2023 Board of Curators Restoration Award. This is such a special place and we wish to share it! We purchased the property April 1, 2021 and worked hard to prepare it for guests. It's listed on the National and State Registers for Historic Places in Wisconsin. Some of the finest local craftspeople were devoted to its painstaking restoration. Last year, we won the Preservation Award from the Madison Trust for Historic Preservation. We're members of the Midwest Bed & Breakfast Association, too! We invite you to follow us on on IG: Restore.Brisbane.House.
Inside, the Brisbane House is a blend of modern comfort and historic appointments. As it was built over 150 years ago by an abolitionist, we're honoring his legacy by showcasing original contemporary art by nationally-known Black artists.
The main house sleeps six. There is a new full kitchen (rolling pin, pie plate, jelly roll pans for vacation bakers!) and living room on the first floor, as well as new bathroom in the connector to the summer kitchen. On the second floor, there is one bedroom (queen bed), a full bathroom, and den. On the third floor, there are two bedrooms (one queen, two XL twins). It's a tall, skinny house so the stairs are steep! The HVAC system is newly configured and is very comfortable. Great work-worthy wifi, too. We've installed a new gas fireplace in the living room for extra festive wintertime stays.
We've turned the old summer kitchen building into additional bedrooms, so it sleeps four more (up to 10 total). It's attached to the main house by a connector that also has a new full bathroom in it. The summer kitchen is not actually a kitchen, it's a first-floor gorgeous new bedroom with a queen bed surrounded by windows. Above this bedroom is a loft. A loft ladder goes up to two more XL twin beds upstairs. Screen porch is attached so you can hang out or eat your meals out there. If you'd only like to rent the main house (up to six guests), please see our alternate listing for Brisbane House, #2214954.
Most stays have a three night minimum during high season. Please inquire if this really will not work for you.
There are several restaurants within 10 miles either west to Spring Green or east to Mazomanie. Madison is a 35 minute drive to the east. If traveling through Madison to arrive at your destination, note there's a terrific local grocery store, the Willy Street Co-op, on your way out.
Soaps and cleaning products are either unscented or contain organic essential oils. No synthetic fragrances or fabric softeners. Environmentally friendlier bath towels are "quick dry." Most sheets are of organic cotton. We also participate in Alliant Energy's "rush hour" for energy-saving cooling.
Explore the 18 acres around the house. There is a small fire pit in the yard with plenty of free firewood. There is a pine barrens and trails in the hills leading all the way up to the top of Rattlesnake Ridge, a restored prairie. Maps are in the house. Dogs (additional $100 fee) can be off leash on the property by must be on a leash if hiking on neighboring properties (and please pick up after your dog). In the winter, help yourself to the snowshoes in the garage.
Fine print: Interior stairs to the second and third floors of the main house are a bit steep. The loft ladder in the summer kitchen is just that--a loft ladder. There's a septic system that can't take grease or coffee grounds down the drains or anything but TP down the toilets. Well behaved dogs are allowed but for an additional fee. Please respect the speed limits on the roads as others are enjoying country life, too! Thank you for treating this historic gem kindly!
