Middleton
The ETC Community Theater at Stone Horse Green
10/08/2022; Ribbon cutting at the dedication of Stone Horse Green; photo features many of the community members who helped in its creation.
On October 8, 2022, a dedication and ribbon cutting was held for the completion of Stone Horse Green, the location of the ETC Community Theater, "Where Good Neighbors Gather". In celebration, the Strollin' Middleton Jazz Festival kicked off with Stage performances by many groups including Black Power Dance, Cancao, Gerri DiMaggio, Dee Alexander-John McLean Quartet. Other events such as letterpress printmaking and sculpture workshops were held on the Green. The event generated many wonderful stories: The Cap Times, WKOW, Middleton Times Tribune, Paul's Newsline, Arts + Literature Lab, and U WI Dept. of Art History, to name a few.
The Green was the culmination of many years of community collaboration which started in 2015. The first step involved many meetings with the community to ascertain the desires and goals for the downtown space. There were five design principles that emerged: (1) be a respite incorporating nature and natural materials; (2) encourage gathering for all ages; (3) be a place to strengthen community around music, art, food and culture; (4) be a source of light and warmth in the cold winter; (5) create a central destination to begin exploring the downtown. In 2019 the final design for Stone Horse Green was selected with the community voting for its favorite.
The Green was the culmination of many years of community collaboration which started in 2015. The first step involved many meetings with the community to ascertain the desires and goals for the downtown space. There were five design principles that emerged: (1) be a respite incorporating nature and natural materials; (2) encourage gathering for all ages; (3) be a place to strengthen community around music, art, food and culture; (4) be a source of light and warmth in the cold winter; (5) create a central destination to begin exploring the downtown. In 2019 the final design for Stone Horse Green was selected with the community voting for its favorite.
11/04/2019; inscription on Historical Landmark
This historic site is where the first livery stable and dray line was established by James Trulock who operated it from 1893 to 1899. In 1901 William Burmeister purchased it and managed 28 horses which served the community. Fred Steckelberg acquired the business in 1910. However, by 1914 the horse-drawn livery came to an end with Middleton's first motorized passenger bus. In 1927 the stable was removed and Fred's son Charles created elaborate rock structures for his gardens that covered a large peortion of this site.
The Stone Horse Green design plays on the livery theme and has six heated stone horse sculptures ("Herd of Boulders") that provide seating and a play area along with interactive Barn Lights, both designed by local artists Gail Simpson and Aristotle Georgiades. The ETC Community Stage is located at one corner with a push-to-start fireplace and a movie screen; on the streetside, a display wall acknowledges donors; and public bathrooms are located at the back of the Stage structure. All lighting for the site is powered by a solar array located on the roof of the Stage (a City goal of meeting 100% of its energy needs through clean, renewable sources by 2050). A fire kettle is available to visitors and is opposite the Stage - a fun place to gather and keep warm when cooler weather arrives. All are welcome - the site is purposely designed to meet ADA standards and is dementia friendly. Benches and bistro tables are placed around the edges.
10/20/2022; A plaque honors Stone Horse Green lead donors
Because of the Covid-19 pandemic starting in 2020, activity to move forward was delayed for at least one year. The Friends of Stone Horse Green spearheaded the private fundraising which raised $700,000. Lead donors who are recognized on a plaque on the Green included Electronic Theater Control, Terrence R. Wall, HyCite Enterprises, Middleton Area Community Development Corporation, Visit Middleton, Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation, FSC Partners LLC, One Community Bank, MG&E Foundation, and Spring Window Fashions. Additionally, the City contributed $1M in the public-private partnership. All donors were encouraged to select from the many opportunities whether it was a tile with an historic photo and their name, a bench or bistro table, one of the stone horses that the donor could name, the fireplace, the Barn Lights, or the bandshell.
The City has hired a manager who will coordinate all the events at Stone Horse Green.
Events at the ETC Community Stage at Stone Horse Green can be found at its website or on Facebook.
Events are continuously updated - so check them out!
Other Green Features
10/20/22; "Barn Lights" are featured at the corner opposite the bandshell.
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10/20/2022; A fire kettle ready for use in cool weather flanked by someof the stone horses that children can "ride".
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10/2022; Pedestals of varying heights sit below the Barn Lights; Courtesy of Robert Kozich
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10/2022; The LED ighting from the Barn Lights can be programmed to various colors; Courtesy of Robert Kozich
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10/2022; Benches include a design of a horse's head the reflects the history of the site; Courtesy of Robert Kozich
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Construction at Stone Horse Green
Construction started in spring of 2022. Saiki Design worked with the City to include all the ideas generated by the community; Knother-Bruce Architects and IMEG Corporation designed the bandshell; Daniels Construction completed the site; and The Bruce Company provided landscaping.
During construction, many artifacts were discovered and are now housed at the Middleton Historical Society.
3/2/2021; Overlooking the site to the east
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3/2/2021; This shows the selection of historic photos a donor may chose for the donor wall. The Middleton Historical Society provided the photos.
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12/26/2019; Signage announcing the plans for Stone Horse Green prior to COVID which halted any action to proceed.
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3/2/2021; another view of the site looking northeast
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Historic Burmeister Livery; courtesy of Middleton Historic Society
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11/04/2019; Historical Landmark on the site prior to construction
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