The Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum -

Take a tour or plan your wedding here!

The Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum was originally home to the grandson of the founder of A.O. Smith - Lloyd Smith who was also one time president of the company. In 1966 his widow deeded the property to Milwaukee County so that it could be used as an art museum.

This museum, along with the Charles Allis Art Museum and the Pabst Mansion are fascinating to tour simply because of their history and original function as somebody’s HOME!

If it doesn’t peak my interest, I do have a tendency to get bored with museums, but knowing that someone actually lived in these places, let’s me view them in a completely different way.

The place is absolutely beautiful, as you can see from the outside. This is the view of the museum as you walk along Lincoln Memorial Drive. Can you imagine this place being your home?? I'd definitely have to hire a cleaning company! :)

The museum can be accessed on North Terrace Avenue. The address and other details can be found at the Villa Terrace Website (opens new window)

Admission price to this museum was $5 in 2009. However, if you purchase a 3-pack ticket to the Villa Terrace Museum, the Pabst Mansion and the Charles Allis Art Museum, you can gain access to all 3 museums for $11.

$11 for admission to 3 museums is quite reasonable, and in my opinion, worth the money! These museums are interesting to view, and at less than $4 a museum, definitely recommended.

3-pack tickets can be purchased at any one of the 3 museums.

When planning your tour at the Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum, I would recommend that you tour this facility in the spring as the Italian garden displays flowering crab apple trees! These are probably my favorite flowering trees, so I may be a little biased. Touring the garden is one of the best parts of this tour simply because of it's intricate design and prominence along Lincoln Memorial Drive.

The Villa Terrace Museum is also available for business and wedding ceremonies. There are packages available that permit you to have the wedding ceremony at the Villa Terrace, check out this picture (opens new window), and follow that with a reception at the Charles Allis Art Museum just across the street.

See the website for more information and pricing for these rentals.

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