A Milwaukee-Area Bed and Breakfast, The Port Washington Inn

The Port Washington Historical Society (http://www.portwashingtonhistoricalsociety.org/) is making it ever easier for locals and tourists to interact with the history of Port Washington. Like a captivating book, Port Washington’s history is a ‘good read’ but especially inclines one to an on site investigation of the pre-civil war buildings including the 1860 Historic Lighthouse, now a museum that’s open weekends May-October.

A self-guided walking tour of prominent downtown historic buildings has been a favorite with guests of the Port Washington Inn, who are often attracted to the inn by its history.

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Scaffolding, which has been visible around Port Washington Inn since November, is disappearing today, February 4th!

It’s time to celebrate the inn’s fresh new look, most especially on the exterior but evident as well on the interior where we’ve been painting and finessing. Far from feeling its age (107 and counting), the inn’s exterior now matches the tasteful interior. The careful attention to the trim details of the building have taken time and patience to replicate but not to do so would have been to lose the integrity of this historic Port Washington landmark.

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Whether you are a professional photographer or an amateur shutterbug, Port Washington Wisconsin offers opportunities galore. Follow this link http://www.ci.port-washington.wi.us/Photos/Gallery.htm to view pictures shared on the Port Washington Wisconsin website

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In our lifetime we’ve experienced summer Saturday nights when small Iowa communities gathered outside to watch a movie projected on a screen, drive-in movie theaters, small town theaters where a single movie might be featured for a week or more, big city theaters in NYC where it seemed not only the building but the patrons might qualify for the historic registry, the video stores where people flocked to rent their favorites to watch on their VCR’s and now……Netflix.

Movies are great (the best of them are) and our movie video collection at the Port Washington Inn has always been popular with our guests. But the collection is becoming a piece of history as it is completely on VCR format. Now, not only does each of our guestrooms have a VCR but it also has a DVD player! So bring your Netflix movie with you to watch uninterrupted.

“Love is in the “Frigid-aire” so grab your sweetie to celebrate Valentine’s Weekend during the 36th Annual Winter Festival; “Romancing the Snow” in Historic Cedarburg, Wisconsin, February 13 & 14. So, don’t be stupid, cupid…wend your way to romantic Cedarburg and be our funny valentine.”

For all the details visit: http://www.cedarburgfestivals.org/winterfestival.html

All events are open to the public and most are free.
Info: 262-377-9620 or 888-894-4001
Saturday 8am – 10 pm
Sunday 8 am-3 pm

Stay at the Port Washington Inn and add a Lake Michigan view to your Valentine’s weekend while saving 30-40% on your stay! Port Washington, only 9 miles from Cedarburg, offers a variety of locally owned restaurants plus a chocolate shop (The Chocolate Chisel) and a wine making shop (From Vines to Cellar), Bernie’s Meat Market, and stunning views of Lake Michigan!

I have to admit to ‘living under a rock’ sometimes, oblivious to ‘the good, the bad, and the ugly’ of popular culture. Sometimes friends give me a gentle shove in the right direction and I realize belatedly the good things I’ve been missing!

Such was the case when my friend Linda handed me a copy of Julie and Julia the other night. Watching it was pure joy! Meryl Streep brought Julia Child back to life for us and Amy Adams’ portrayal of Julie Powell reminded me of our daughter whose savoring of food has had a similar impact on her life.

Food is so basic to our existence, yet we hunger for it to be satisfying as well as enriching. Julia Child recognized that the cuisine she was enjoying in Paris was a satisfying as well as an enriching feast and she wanted everyone in America to experience their daily sustenance as a feast. Read the rest of this entry »

Combining genealogy research and a leisurely vacation is easily accomplished when you make the Port Washington Inn your headquarters. The Ozaukee County Archives Research Facility is just three blocks down the hill in the restored 1907 Electric Interurban Depot building. There is direct link research capability with the Wisconsin Historical Society Archives and the National Archives Center. Located adjacent to the Ozaukee Interurban Trail, the center serves also as a rest stop, welcome, and information center for trail users.

Located only 10 miles from Port Washington Inn, Riveredge Nature Center is a favorite with our guests who are looking to enjoy time in the great outdoors. Miles of groomed cross country ski trails, other trails designated for snowshoeing, plus various workshops and special programs are among the opportunities available. Set along the Milwaukee River in the town of Newburg, Riveredge is ‘far from the madding crowd’. Bring your camera to capture photographic memories of your time there. Check out their website at www.riveredge.us

Note: cross country skis and snowshoes can be rented from Laacke and Joys in Mequon (www.laackeandjoys.com)

Many a gift was wrapped and unwrapped this holiday season and here at Port Washington Inn, the wrapping has been happening in a grand way as the inn’s old siding is replaced with new and insulation is added to this 100+ year old building.

The first stage of this project began in late August when the remaining original windows were replaced with new energy efficient windows! That was accomplished quickly by a large crew in between busy guest times.

November was the earliest we could allow the siding work to commence since October is a busy guest month here and we didn’t want guests to be negatively impacted by this work. In November and December, we blocked out all midweek dates and many weekends as well. We spent parts of both months visiting family and friends!

As 2010 begins, the siding project is winding down. A final coat of paint will be applied in the spring and then we’ll be eager to get new pictures for our website!

Little did we realize when we purchased the inn 14-1/2 years ago, that a significant part of our accomplishment here would be the careful restoration of the building. It feels good to have seen such a wonderfully designed house through this process so that it can accommodate guests (and the innkeepers!) comfortably and efficiently.

We invite you to come and enjoy the Serenity, Elegance, & Comfort of Port Washington Inn where you will find peaceful privacy and generous hospitality!

From Upper Lake Park view Port Washington’s hidden beach below and,

if you are a beachcomber, you can make your way to this secluded beach

by way of the stairway installed in late 2009!

As the waves lap the shore, you’ll enjoy the ever-changing temperament

of Lake Michigan’s waters whose hues can range from azure to turquoise,

from soft opalescent at dusk to endless shades of greys on overcast days.

The waters of the lake echo the sky and the cloud formations traveling overhead

are remarkable, resulting in spectacular sunrises and sunsets!

Formations of geese fly in and out of the harbor,

ducks paddle the breakwaters, and gulls wheel overhead.

Enjoy strolling the beach and, as a guest of the Port Washington Inn,

take advantage of the beach blankets and towels

they are happy to supply for lolling on the beach!