Lace, Lumber & Legacy: A Menomonie Mansions & Afternoon Tea Tour

Grab your finest friends and your Victorian vibes for an unforgettable tour celebrating the architecture, elegance, and fascinating past of this truly stunning lumber town!

Our tour first begins by parking at (or riding to) Old Towne, a highly unique event space at 903 Cedar Falls Rd in Menomonie. (An optional Trolley ride to this start point is available as a different ticket type). From there, we depart on the trolley to step back in time for an afternoon of elegance, charm, and rich local history.

You’ll begin at Oaklawn Inn, the region’s oldest bed and breakfast, built in 1889 by lumber baron Andrew Tainter for his daughter. There you’ll experience a true Victorian tea service — with three-tiered cake stands filled with three kinds of finger sandwiches, scones, and desserts, served on fine china with linen napkins and light music — in one of Menomonie’s most treasured historic homes.

Then, it’s off to enjoy a private tour of the stately Wilson Place Mansion, built in 1859 by Menomonie’s founder, Captain William Wilson—a stunning reflection of the city’s lumber boom legacy.

Finally, you’ll visit Old Towne, home to an impressive collection of vintage Menomonie memorabilia, where you’ll also have the opportunity to get yourself a drink at their bar.

Between stops, relax aboard our custom-built, vintage-inspired trolley while a live narrator brings Menomonie’s lumber era and high society to life through stories and insight. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, the Lace, Lumber & Legacy Tour is the most charming way to connect with Menomonie’s past—and imagine its future.

Dressing up is encouraged! (Bustles, corsets, and top hats welcome—but not required!)