Step Into a World of Whimsy at Ten Chimneys in Genesee Depot, Wisconsin

As a theater kid who grew up in a small town in southeastern Wisconsin, New York City felt awfully far away. But the truth was, the bright lights of old Broadway were practically in my backyard—give or take about 8 miles. After all, world-renowned actor Alfred Lunt was originally from Milwaukee, so it only made sense that he returned to his home state. Along with his wife and beloved actor in her own right, Lynn Fontanne, the two lived in the gorgeous Ten Chimneys, in the quaint town of Genesee Depot.

Known as Ten Chimneys because of the 10 chimneys across the property, the awe-inspiring estate has undergone many transitions over the years. It oscillated from the Lunt family home to the Lunt/Fontanne summer house to their eventual full-time home after the duo left show business. The property was built over a few decades, beginning in 1916 and completed in 1940. Decades after the passing of both Lunt and Fontanne, the home serves as a house museum, the best I've ever visited. Though if you're a big fan of house museums, you should also visit the unique Milton House Museum, my other favorite Wisconsin spot, about 50 minutes southwest of Ten Chimneys.

Unlike almost every house museum I've seen, Ten Chimneys didn't need elaborate recreations. There was no need to scrounge around for rooms upon rooms of period-appropriate furniture or scavenge for artifacts that the inhabitants once touched. That's because the estate never lost those precious pieces of tangible history. Many of the personal effects of the Lunt/Fontanne household remained in the home, which is where the estate's whimsical aesthetic comes from. Much of that whimsy is also courtesy of set designer Claggett Wilson, whose intricate mural handiwork is a testament to the owners' love of the stage. Ten Chimneys is like a time capsule, capturing the varied lives of these performers.

Guests can practically be flies on the wall in the lives of Lunt and Fontanne. Out by the poolhouse, I could almost hear the couple's dear friend Noël Coward laughing the afternoon away. The trio of Lunt, Fontanne, and Coward spent much time together at the estate. Or perhaps I heard the undeniable squeak of Carol Channing, undoubtedly making friends with everyone who set foot in the main house. It seemed that anyone who was anyone on stage or silver screen spent luxurious time at Ten Chimneys.

It's only fitting that the adoring public can now spend time meandering the halls that once hosted stars. Estate tours can comprise the entire estate, including areas such as the sprawling main house, pool house, cottage, or just the 14-room main house. Although exploring the estate as a whole can easily take several hours, I highly recommend the journey if you can manage it. This is not your ordinary Hollywood Hills mansion, which is clear if you visit the creamery and greenhouse—along with all of the Scandinavian influences. Those personal touches are part of what makes this home an irreplaceable part of theater history. Plus, its fame among the elite, like Charlie Chaplin, also makes it one of those places you wouldn't expect to find in Wisconsin.

After gallivanting at Ten Chimneys, guests can visit the nearby clear waters of Mukwonago River for some much-needed natural respite. Or, if you prefer to keep walking the Lunt/Fontanne way, you could check out some of the unique things to do in Milwaukee. Who knows, you could be walking in Lunt's footsteps while in his hometown.