Use tax dollars to pay for things we need. Let a private group fund this project.

Read both the Tallman House report and the business plan here: http://www.ci.janesville.wi.us/weblink7/...

ladystardust, the murals were privately funded.
http://www.janesvilledesign.com/PublicAr...

I am hoping now that they have a new director that HAS a clue about this building that can get the job done.

gee-they really want to hear the community's input on this issue, but they didn't give a hoot when a new bike tunnel/new ice arena/children's museum was on the table. I like TallMan House, but seriously I have not been there in a decade because I never know what times they are open and how much it will cost. I think that more people would be interested if there was a way to host events there, but now that the city is spending money on historical murals to be placed down town, I don't see why they can not spend some money to maintain this property.
Get some guides to dress up in that time period and you will have people coming to check it out. But keep it new and fresh with events going on all year long- to keep 'old customers' coming back. Because really, folks, when you have taken the tour once, you really don't need another one. What you need is to attract citizens with different events/besides outrageously priced art shows or christmas caroling.

If the house needs maintainance do it and do it correctly, but NO MORE, the tax payers can't afford this or more bike paths or ice rinks. When the economy of the city improves do more then.

Maybe the only way they could get historical funding was to prove a certian amount of people visited it. When in fact, the majority of people were little kids being forced to go. Last year averaged about 6 visiters per day. Is it really worth spending this amount of money for those few people?

DanMan,
How is it you know what the majority of janesville citizens want or believe? By the ten bloggers on this site ? Last time I checked janesville's pop. was around 60,000.

Not keen on the $ to put in a catering kitchen for events. If there needs to be catering, have it catered in on a per-event basis. I do think it is important to maintain the structures as close to original as possible - and do it correctly so there are not future issues as the Milton House had to deal with when repairs were done slap-dash in the past with wrong materials and caused even more issues. As for bathrooms, there may be needed changes regarding accessibility or the like, I do not know. However, if money has already been borrowed and is charging interest, let's at least use that money and try to get some sort of return on investment that makes it worthwhile having borrowed. I too was "forced" to go there as a child and was bored; however, the real problem was that school administrators thought 8 and 9 year olds would be interested in the place, when in fact the only thing that was of interest to us was getting out of school. The schools liked it because it was cheap and close enough to walk the students from the nearest schools (thus no cost for bus). It would have been better to not even go until at least junior high. There should be some private fund-raising going on at all times regarding capital improvements but there does need to be funds at least to cover utilities.

Solution: Have a private company / person purchase the Tallman House and refurbish it and make it a viable tourist attraction. If you think the Janeville City Council will make a solid go of it, think again. Look at what they have allowed to happen to it over the past years. NOTHING

Look, history is vital and so is Tallman. However, you've got hundreds of unemployed in this community whose benefits are about to end. No ceremony, no extensions, no nothing. Want to spend money? Lend a hand. And by the way, before this economic crisis, Rock County had no lack of financially struggling families who never even considered taking the family on a tour of Tallman. Cuts into the food budget.

Maybe it's more about certain contractors staying busy and getting jobs from the city?

PJGnyc, Same your way, If you don't like that the majority of people do not see things your way, perhaps you should move also. Maybe to NYC? Just a thought. Have a good day and best of luck with your pursuit.

PJGnyc, I am sure there are people on the Tallman payroll. My point is, If it can't support itself, and is no benefit to taxpayers other than a burden on our taxes, why is the city/ taxpayer paying for it. If you love the history of the building so much, you should pay for it, not expect the overburdened tax payers to cover the cost. The city has no business getting involved owning a white elephant just because they can continue to raise our taxes to support your interests.

DanMan, thanks for your POV, however misguided and misinformed it may be. You are wrong to think that amenities supported by the city do not provide revenue to the city. Do you know that there are actually employees at the Tallman house that receive a paycheck and pay taxes on their salary, most living in Janesville and thereby paying taxes in this city when they purchase things? Sure, there aren't a lot of employees there, mostly volunteers, but they still provide value to this community. How about thinking outside the box and seeing this for what it could be--an investment in the community that will pay off in the long run. If you don't like what this city is supporting, why don't you go live somewhere in the country so you can by happy managing your own road, sewer, and water well.

Tater: Go to Tallman this summer without your kids. If you like history, it is a gem.
However, there has been some failure selling the interest in this place. Its own citizens don't know what it is. Maybe a better public relations campaign is needed. I have kids in the Milton schools, and they have never been to Tallman. Tallman needs to reach out to those fifth grade teachers teaching U.S. history in other places.

I was forced to go there when I was a kid in school and I've never been back. A job would keep me in the area...not that old house.

Thank you, janesvillian. Is it also true that Honest Abe commented to the Tallmans that they overbuilt for the Look West neighborhood?

As a kid, I went to the Tallman House. I haven't been there yet as an adult but, I would hate to see it go. It's one of the last pieces of Janesville history that still retains its original look. Most of the other buildings have either been razed, turned into offices, apartments, or have been forgotten by time. I'm still young but I have a love for history and with the success of the Armoury, there is hope for the Tallman House. I guess we shall see what the future brings...

"History cannot give us a program for the future, but it can give us a fuller understanding of ourselves, and of our common humanity, so that we can better face the future." - Robert Penn Warren
....We dishonor the past when we intentionally ignore it. We demonstrate our lack of understanding the value of history and disgrace our own commitment to respect and honor those who came before. We also send a message to the future that we are more concerned about immediacy than wisdom. The Tallman house is an integral part of Janesville history and culture. Any investment to repair and restore it is an investment in our mutual heritage and future that will long outlive today's current sidewalks, sewers and sports facilities.

I forgot the people of Janesville don't want anything nice for their city, just the basics, nothing of interest for the citizens to do but sit in their houses and stare out the windows. I can see why all our young people are leaving Janesville, their is nothing to do or see.

PJGnyc, Remove head, then speak! Taxes are collected to support and maintain the infrastructure of the the city, not pay for your hobbies and interests! If you like the Tallman house and the, "wealth of architecture offered through the city's stock of older homes", you pay for it. Most tax payers in Jvl could care less. They would be happy to have a decent job with reasonable benefits. The Tallman house has nothing to do with the people that come to the city and spend money, or it would be a viable business venture.

I suggest breathalyzer tests for all village council members before each meeting. The Tallman house is just another Ice Arena, get the tax payers to pay for a losing business venture. If it can't make it on its own, maybe it isn't meant to be. I am surprised the village council didn't have us pick up the tab for G.M. to keep the plant open. Sadly, we should look at G.M. as an excellent example. Isn’t making money? Shut the doors! Steeber and Rashkin are the two biggest idiots on the village board and the voters should get rid of them both!

Nice McDonald. Do you think people come to Janesville to see the streets and the sewers? Do you think that when they talk to their family and friends they say "We chose to live in janesville because they have great streets and the sewer system can't be beat."?

No, they come here because the city might have something to offer them--be it the Rotary Gardens, the city's parks and trails, and yes, to see the wealth of architecture offered through the city's stock of older homes. This is a plan to improve the site (which is needed as the city has neglected to do its duty over the years), make it a destination and a place to perhaps host meetings, events, weddings.

I think the people of this city are poorly served by you and Perrotto.

I've lived here over 25 years and I've never gone to this place. My kids all went there for school field trips and were all thoroughly bored (what do you expect, they're kids.) I'm not against the Tallman house; it's got history yes, but it's simply not worth the money for the city to keep it. I don't understand Steeber when he says that the city "owes it to the building". You can't keep feeding a white elephant forever; even if you got the elephant for free. If the building can't support itself, then let it go.

History, culture & heritage are, in my opinion, priceless. But... 30k for bathrooms, though? Is this like 30 NEW bathrooms or what? Is it me or are such costs seemingly extravagant? 30K for just simply improving bathrooms seems whacked.

did some say ask the Hendrick's Foundation if they could help in anyway this one time,Just too keep this Historic Place up too snuff..

gazettefan, it is true. Lincoln was making abolitionist speeches following the famous series of debates with Douglas, and was invited to speak in Beloit. Hearing this, the Janesville Republican Club invited him to give the same speech in Janesville, and Tallman -- being one of the wealthiest, most prominent citizens -- was the obvious choice as host.
http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/wlhba/ar...
.
The Tallman family was especially proud of this visit and insisted on the name Lincoln-Tallman House, but he only stayed two days and nights. The building is really more illustrative of its grand Italianate architecture and the comparison with the Stone House shows how both upper and lower class Janesville residents lived.

That house is a gem and their are so few places like that left especially in a city like this, what a shame it would be to let it go. I have visited it numerous occasions and my 9 year old now wants to go again and again, she says she sees something different every time she goes. I donate when we go and would love to volunteer what I can (which is general labor, not very skilled with my hands) and I am sure many in the area would. Lets not lose this historical place. IMO this is an irreplaceable piece of art, not in any way like a skate park.

Is it really true that Honest Abe slept there? Or is that just a rumor?

This is sad that the city is considering putting that kind of money into the house. Yet on the other side of the coin the city will not build a skate and bike park that will get used a 1000 times more then the house. It also gives our kids someplace to go to other then the streets. Remember the city put a stop to skateboarders using public and government property, so where are they to go. The city is driving our young people out of area and they are spending there money else where. This is really a sad situation.

Maybe Mercy will build a parking lot.

The city is putting money into something that we don't need right now. Sell the property and home and be done with it. With all the problems this city has, we don't need to keep putting money into something that doesn't even make enough to run it. I seen it once, why would I go back and see it again. It's the same thing. If all these people want to keep it going let those people buy it and maintain it themselves....