Menomonie, WI – This summer, history comes alive in Menomonie with the Lace, Lumber & Legacy: Menomonie Mansions & Afternoon Tea Trolley Tour. This elegant new experience invites guests to don their Victorian best (or come as they are) and travel back in time aboard a vintage-style trolley to explore the grandeur and stories of Menomonie’s lumber-era elite.

The tour begins at Old Towne Banquet Hall, 903 Cedar Falls Rd—a nostalgic event venue that sets the tone for a day of discovery. (Guests may also opt for a separate ticket that includes trolley transportation from downtown.)

First stop: the historic Oaklawn Inn, built in 1889 by lumber baron Andrew Tainter. Now the region’s oldest bed-and-breakfast, Oaklawn Inn offers a true Victorian tea experience, complete with finger sandwiches, sweet breads, and desserts served on fine china in an atmosphere of quiet charm.

Next, guests will enjoy a private tour of Wilson Place Mansion, the original location of the home of Captain William Wilson, Menomonie’s founder and co-founder of the legendary Knapp, Stout & Co. Company. With its layered architectural history and carefully preserved interiors, Wilson Place tells the story of a town built on lumber and ambition.

The tour concludes with a visit back to Old Towne, home to a growing collection of vintage Menomonie memorabilia. Guests are welcome to explore, relax, and enjoy a beverage from the bar as they reflect on the day’s discoveries.

Throughout the journey, a live narrator shares fascinating stories about Menomonie’s gilded age—bringing to life the characters, culture, and legacy of one of Wisconsin’s most unique communities.

Tours are held select Thursdays from 1:00–4:00 p.m. on the following dates: June 12, July 3 & 24, August 7 & 21, and September 4.

Tickets and full details are available at OaklawnInn.com/events or chippewarivertrolley.org.

Victorian attire is welcome and encouraged—bustles, corsets, and top hats are a delight, but not required.

Come see Menomonie in a whole new light—and lace!