Echoes of Mourning: A Victorian Farewell
Schedule
Wed Oct 15 2025 at 10:30 am to 02:00 pm
UTC-05:00Location
W4270 Southland Road , Lake Geneva, WI, United States, Wisconsin 53147 | Lake Geneva, WI
Advertisement
We’ve transformed the estate from summer retreat to a mansion in mourning—time to discover how the Victorians honored their dead. Your visit begins with a scenic boat ride across Geneva Lake with the Geneva Lake Cruise Line, offering sweeping views of shoreline estates framed by brilliant fall colors. Then, step ashore at Black Point Estate, where the bright days of summer have given way to the somber atmosphere of a traditional Victorian funeral. Here, the customs of mourning were as elaborate as the era itself.
Get an up-close look at 1800s mourning attire and hear from expert docents about the subtle, symbolic world of Victorian grief. Discover how families paid their respects through deeply personal, often haunting rituals—and what those traditions reveal about the human need to remember, reflect and honor the departed.
What You’ll Experience:
A lakeside boat ride with Geneva Lake Cruise Line, surrounded by stunning autumn scenery
Two rooms styled in traditional 19th-century mourning décor
Authentic Victorian mourning clothing and accessories with stories behind each piece
Haunting customs and rituals used to grieve the dead in the 19th century
Insights into how grief shaped fashion, etiquette and daily life during the Gilded Age
COST
Adult (18-64): $53
Youth (13-17): $37
Senior (65+): $51
Child (4-12): $33
Child (3 and under): $2
Wisconsin Historical Society members receive a $17 discount and 10%* off select special experiences.
*10% discount does not apply to any special experience offered through the Cruise Line.
Book Tickets: https://wihist.org/4myoSNl
About the Location
Built in 1888 as a retreat for Chicago Beer Baron Conrad Seipp, Black Point Estate has persisted through the centuries as a historic place to relax, refresh, and explore the banks of Geneva Lake and beyond. Much like the Victorian VIPs who originally established the estate, visitors can enjoy the cool lake breezes on the mansion's veranda, sip Seipp beer, and listen to the soothing melodies of the authentic 1911 Chickering piano that rests just inside. As one of the oldest homes in Lake Geneva and a premier example of period architecture and furniture in the Midwest, Black Point Estate offers a glimpse into the rich and historic past of the Gilded Age.
Black Point Estate & Gardens
812 Wrigley Drive
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
Know Before You Go & Accessibility
All tickets must be booked in advance and are purchased through the Lake Geneva Cruise Line.
All tours launch from the Riviera Docks, 812 Wrigley Drive, Lake Geneva.
There is no public parking on site.
The museum store is open during operating hours.
Water is the only outside food/beverage allowed. Food/beverage are available for purchase.
Restrooms are available on the cruise and at the estate.
The estate will remain open rain or shine.
Guests are encouraged to wear good walking shoes and to dress for the weather.
Guests must climb 120 steps to access the estate. The first floor of the estate is ADA accessible.
Guests with additional mobility needs are encouraged to contact the site directly for direct access to the estate at [email protected] or 262-248-1888.
Contact
For more information, please contact the Lake Geneva Cruise Line at cruiselakegeneva.com or 262-248-6206.
Advertisement
Where is it happening?
W4270 Southland Road , Lake Geneva, WI, United States, Wisconsin 53147Event Location & Nearby Stays:
