Stop 8 – Rowley House

Historic black-and-white photo of a two-story house with a picket fence and bare trees in front. Two people stand near the fence.

Rowley House Museum, historic building in Middleton, provides tours

A vintage living room with antique furniture, including a sofa, organ, gramophone, wood stove, and rocking chairs, under a chandelier.

About

Downtown Middleton Historic Walking Trail and Historic Landmark Trail Stop Eight:

This Gabled–Ell cream color brick house was built by Dr. Newman C. Rowley in 1868 at a cost of $800. After Dr Rowley died, his son, Dr. Antinous A. Rowley, lived in the house and continued the practice. His son, Antinous G. Rowley, who built an attractive home at 7238 Elmwood Ave. in 1909, became the third generation of Rowley doctors to practice in Middleton. Those doctors served Middleton and western Dane County for many years. They traveled to their rural patients by horseback, buggy and eventually by car. In 1989, the Middleton Area Historical Society purchased the home from the Rowley heirs with a gift from lifelong Middleton resident Gilsie Techam. Now a museum about Middleton history that is open to the public, the Rowley House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Status: Currently, the Rowley House is the site of a Middleton History Museum operated by the Middleton Historical Society. It is open to the public from mid-April to mid-October. During this time, visitors can explore the museum on Tuesdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.