Situated in an urban district of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the Schuster Mansion has been under the ownership of Rick and Laura Sue Mosier since 2008. The establishment bears historical significance, as it was originally built in 1891. As such, the architecture, as well as the interior decor arrangement in each accommodation, exhibits a Victorian style to reflect the time period it originates from. A total of three rooms and four suites are available year-round for guests to occupy, and breakfast is provided every morning to those staying at the property. One of the more unique arrangements at Schuster Mansion is the high tea, low tea, Mollie's tea, and afternoon tea services. A selection of desserts is given to those who purchase the high tea service.
The Schuster Mansion is a three-story Victorian bed and breakfast located near the heart of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The business offers three rooms and four suites for visitors to reserve, all of which vary in terms of size and amenities. "Every accommodation is different," one of the owners of the establishment, Laura Sue, notes as she mentions that the rooms are decorated differently with unique color schemes. The first floor of the home contains the Serenity Suite, and the second floor features Richard's Den, along with three of the following suites: Laura Sue's Suite, Pias Suite, and Mollie's Suite. The Lone Star and Prairie Sky constitute the third floor of the bed and breakfast.
Of the three rooms, one has a double bed, while another has a queen size bed, and the third room is equipped with a king-size bed due to its larger size. As for the suites, the Serenity Suite and Pias Suite comprise two rooms, Laura Sue's Suite has three rooms, and Mollie's Suite is a four-room accommodation that can sleep up to four occupants. Because of the Schuster Mansion's varying amenities, Laura Sue says that the bed and breakfast is "not a cookie-cutter hotel." Regardless of which accommodation visitors choose to stay in, standard amenities such as a blow dryer, shampoo, conditioner, and a TV are provided for guests to utilize over the course of their stay. It should also be noted that everyone who stays at the Schuster Mansion is given access to WiFi.
For those who book a stay directly through the property's reservation system, coffee and tea are delivered to their room or suite for free. If a third-party system was used to reserve one of the rooms or suites, this coffee and tea service is not available. One of the most notable elements of the business is the high tea service, which is open for the general public to purchase as well. Every day, at 3:00 in the afternoon, Laura Sue serves high tea, low tea, afternoon tea, and Mollie's tea which costs $53.00 for those who are not staying at the bed and breakfast; guests of the Schuster Mansion are offered this tea for free. Typically, high tea involves three desserts, a scone, and three different sandwiches.
Every morning, those who are staying at the establishment are given a gourmet breakfast that comes with the price of the stay. There are four options that one can expect to be served: ham and cheese strata with french toast, apple delight, crepes, and oatmeal. Visitors with dietary restrictions or food allergies can be accommodated if Laura Sue is given prior notice. The appointed time when breakfast is to be served is chosen by the guests themselves, though it must be within the range of 7:00 and 10:00 a.m.
In addition to the accommodations that patrons can reserve, the home additionally has several common areas, namely a foyer, library, dining room, conservatory, store, and a Victorian garden, to name a few. Moreover, the home is characterized by a pergola and a porch with peacock wire chairs. Laura Sue comments that guests are welcome to enjoy their breakfast outside under the pergola, weather permitting. The grounds encompass about two lots, one of which is the Victorian garden space, according to Laura Sue. Beyond the premises, however, the land surrounding the Schuster Mansion is fairly urban and residential, as the property is located near the city center of Milwaukee. Laura Sue says that the Schuster Mansion is "at the center of everything Milwaukee has to offer."
Central Milwaukee is located approximately one mile east of the Schuster Mansion. There, tourists can explore a considerable number of attractions, including the Milwaukee Public Museum, the Milwaukee Art Museum, the Milwaukee County Zoo, and the American Family Field. The Milwaukee Brewers baseball team frequently holds baseball games at the American Family Field, which tends to draw a relatively high quantity of tourists. The city is also near a concert venue, several beaches, and multiple restaurants that offer a wide range of cuisines. Some of the dining options that Laura Sue recommends to her patrons are Oscar's Pub & Grill, Pizza Shuttle, Kegel's Inn, and Balistreri's Italian-American Ristorante.
The owners of Schuster Mansion, Laura Sue and Rick Mosier, enjoy getting to know their visitors. Upon arrival, Laura Sue makes an effort to show people around the home, intending to familiarize them with where they'll be staying. The owners strive to build relationships and make connections with their guests, as they try to provide an experience that is in accordance with the following statement: "Arrive as guests and leave as family."
Laura Sue believes that her personality and her positive attitude are a couple of contributing factors to the welcoming atmosphere that she hopes to create. She also notes that the details she has added to Schuster Mansion over the course of their ownership add to patrons' stay, on account of several former visitors who have described her as a "detail-oriented person." One individual who previously stayed at the home mentioned this in a review, saying, "I was so impressed by the meticulous restoration of the property as well as the attention to detail in its furnishings. It was clear that every aspect was carefully considered, from wall hangings to custom-made curtains and drapes." Laura Sue also believes that the Schuster Mansion is fairly well-known for the cookies that she bakes, which is often mentioned in reviews as well.
Those who are hoping to celebrate their wedding are welcome—even encouraged—to do so, as Laura Sue is a wedding coordinator and Rick is an officiator. People who are hosting weddings, bridal showers, baby showers, birthday parties, or other similar gatherings are given the option to rent the entire first floor of the Schuster Mansion. On some occasions, the owners host events for guests to attend during certain holidays. For example, Laura Sue and Rick hold an event known as the Victorian Christmas High Tea Dinner in December. During this event, visitors have the opportunity to learn more about the history of Christmas and how it is celebrated in various places in the world.
A few policies are implemented at the Schuster Mansion that should be noted for every patron of the bed and breakfast. With the intent to preserve the home's historic nature, patrons are discouraged from bringing their dogs to accompany them during their stay, especially considering that Laura Sue and Rick own two cats that live on-site. Strict guidelines are in place for those who do bring a pet, which entails taking responsibility for cleaning up after their dog and ensuring that their dog does not interact with other guests who are staying at the Schuster Mansion. Furthermore, because Laura Sue's attention is most often directed to those she is serving tea to in the afternoons, she asks that visitors refrain from checking in any sooner than 4:00 p.m.
The establishment is open year-round for people to reserve rooms and suites. Laura Sue observes that the best season of operation for the business depends primarily on the popularity of the high tea service versus the popularity of the rooms and suites. In other words, Laura Sue explains that the teas draw a higher number of people to the bed and breakfast during the winter, while the accommodations tend to receive a higher quantity of patrons in the summer. She remarks that in December, she serves high tea to roughly 700 people. With regard to the demographic of those who stay at the Schuster Mansion, Laura Sue says that they have received "anything and everything," ranging from high schoolers to elderly visitors.
During the 19th century, the wealthy residents of Milwaukee constructed their homes in the western portion of the city, one of which was the Schuster Mansion. In 1891, the Schuster Mansion was built on the outskirts of Milwaukee by George Schuster, who moved into the home with his first wife, Nora. Following the death of George Schuster, the house was sold by Mary, his second wife, in 1924. The owners who purchased the property from Mary converted the home into an apartment complex and named it the Redstone Apartments. Throughout its history, ownership of the property fell into the hands of several different people, most of which "treated the gem with the respect it deserved," as stated on the Schuster Mansion website. The historic nature and the value of the architecture piqued the interest of some people, leading them to sell certain parts of the mansion, such as the stained-glass windows.
It wasn't until 2008 that Rick and Laura Sue Mosier purchased Schuster Mansion. The couple first discovered the establishment when they stayed at a different bed and breakfast in the vicinity shortly after they were married. With Rick's previous experience in the retail business and Laura Sue's hobby of cooking, the couple has come to find that becoming the owners of a bed and breakfast was a suitable position for them both. The property had undergone a considerable amount of updates and renovations since the start of their ownership. As Laura Sue remarks, "We've touched every surface of the home." While there were numerous changes made to the Schuster Mansion, the building itself still has aspects that are original to when the structure was first built, including the tiled walls. The 19th-century bathtubs and hexagon tile floors in the bathrooms of each accommodation are also reflections of the time period that the Schuster Mansion originates from.
3209 West Wells Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53208
United States
Victorian
Laura Sue and Rick Mosier
