Brisbane House: Restored Historic Country House

Entire home in Arena, Wisconsin

  1. 6 guests
  2. 3 bedrooms
  3. 4 beds
  4. 2 baths
Hosted by Samantha
  1. Superhost
  2. 13 years hosting

Listing highlights

Top 5% of homes

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Self check-in

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Unbeatable location

100% of guests in the past year gave this location a 5-star rating.
Twice-awarded and the only house like it in Wisconsin! Built in 1868 by an abolitionist from South Carolina, this gem of a historic stone home has been lovingly restored. Brisbane is all about inclusivity, great comfort, and extraordinary style. Set on 18 wooded acres, you can hike the surrounding area, play croquet, build an outdoor fire. New kitchen and bath, and great wifi, too. Close to APT and Taliesin in Spring Green. Your stay contributes to this important restoration!

The space
This extraordinary house, listed on the Wisconsin State and National Registers for Historic Places, has been fully restored in 2021. Our restoration was twice awarded (2022 Preservation Award from the Madison Trust for Historic Preservation and the 2023 Board of Curators Restoration Award from the WI State Historical Society).

The Brisbane House is a blend of modern comfort and historic appointments and now sleeps six. As it was built over 150 years ago by an abolitionist from South Carolina, we're honoring his legacy by showcasing original contemporary art by nationally-known Black artists. William Henry Brisbane was outspoken in the cause of human rights. Come here to celebrate, appreciate, and recharge. Let the spirit of Brisbane's courage inspire you!

There's a new full kitchen and living room on the first floor. On the second floor, there is one bedroom (queen bed), a full bathroom, and den. On the third floor, there are two bedrooms (one queen, two XL twins). It's a tall, skinny house, so the stairs are steep! The HVAC system is newly configured and is very comfortable. Great "work worthy" wifi, too.

The kitchen is new, beautiful, and well-equipped (vacation bakers will find a rolling pin, pie plates, jelly roll pans and more!). The locally harvested cherry table and benches and chairs seat six - eight.

The first floor connector contains a new full bathroom and hall to the adjacent structure, the "summer kitchen." The bathroom is included in the house rental. The summer kitchen would be an add on for $300/night and sleeps four more. If you rent the house only, don't worry, you'll be the only ones! The summer kitchen is not rented out separately. You'll still have access to a great new screen porch and can enjoy hanging out or having your meals there.

As mentioned, the summer kitchen bedrooms are not included in this listing (sleeping four more). There's a separate listing, "Brisbane House: Add'l Rooms". The summer kitchen has not been a kitchen for nearly 100 years, and we've turned it into a gorgeous bedroom (queen bed) with big beautiful windows and loft (two twin beds), accessible up a loft ladder. The entire property sleeps 10 and it's a great space for extra guests, grandparents, or an additional family.

***Most weekend stays have a three night minimum in high season. On some occasions we can be flexible. If you need to reserve the more accessible first floor bedroom and bathroom in the summer kitchen, please inquire when booking so we can discuss options, or see our other listing for two.***

There are several restaurants within 10 miles either west to Spring Green or east to Mazomanie. Madison is a 35 minute drive to the east. If traveling through Madison to arrive at your destination, note there's a terrific local grocery store, the Willy Street Co-op, on your way out. We've got a great house manual with restaurant recommendations. We can send it ahead of time.

Soaps and cleaning products are either unscented or contain organic essential oils. No synthetic fragrances or fabric softeners. Environmentally friendlier bath towels are "quick dry." Most sheets are of organic cotton. We participate in Alliant Energy's "rush hour" energy saving program during the summer months but of course you can adjust the temperature so that you're comfortable.

Explore the 18 acres around the house. There is a small fire pit in the yard and plenty of firewood. You can forage for dry kindling. There is a trail in the woods and in the hills leading all the way up to the top of Rattlesnake Ridge, a restored prairie. Maps are in the house. Dogs (additional $100 fee) can be off leash on the property BUT MUST BE ON A LEASH if walking down the gravel road. No dogs on Rattlesnake Ridge (on neighboring properties--there is wildlife nesting on the ground) and please pick up after your dog. In the winter, help yourself to the snowshoes in the garage and go sledding down our neighbor's epic hill!

We invite you to follow our adventures in restoration on IG and FB.

Guest access
The drive to the Brisbane house is through some beautiful farm land. Once you arrive, you can park in the two-car garage or in the driveway (not on the grass, please). Enjoy the house and grounds. Keep the doors closed (critters can make their own places in the woods!)

If you're driving an EV, you can plug it in (conventional outlet) in the garage or outside the kitchen door where they're another conventional outdoor outlet. Overnight charging an additional $11. Please inquire.

Other things to note
Please disclose if you are bringing a dog/s. They must either stay on our property, or be leashed on the gravel drive. Dogs are not allowed on neighboring properties. Interior stairs are a bit steep. We provide bug spray and some sun screen. Please respect the speed limits on the roads as others are enjoying country life, too! We've got a septic system so no grease down the drains or anything but TP flushed down the toilets!

Where you’ll sleep

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What this place offers

Valley view
Garden view
Kitchen
Wifi
Dedicated workspace
Free residential garage on premises – 6 spaces
Pets allowed
30 inch HDTV with Fire TV, Netflix, Roku
EV charger
Exterior security cameras on property

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Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 41 reviews.

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Where you’ll be

Arena, Wisconsin, United States
This listing's location is verified and the exact location will be provided after booking.

Neighborhood highlights

Explore the 18+ acres that surrounds the house, including a pine barrens, and a bluff with a prairie on top! The Wisconsin River runs through Arena (about 4 miles away) and there's a great boat launch nearby. It's also 10 miles from the artist community of Spring Green, also the home of American Players Theater, Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin, House on the Rock, lots of restaurants and a farmers market. Short scenic drive to trout fishing streams. Great trails can be found within walking distance (maps provided), and at nearby Governor Dodge State Park (including a scenic waterfall and natural spring houses). It's a 35 - 45 minute drive to Madison, WI, our state capital.

Meet your host

Superhost
583 reviews
4.96 out of 5 average rating
13 years of hosting
My work: Arts Administration
Favorite song in high school: Celebration by Kool and the Gang
I can't live without travel and cooking and eating great, local food. I love all things Italian and I play tennis and pond hockey. I'm a native Wisconsinite (so that means I love up north, too). Bruce loves the ocean and mountains, having grown up in Southern California. I run a chamber music festival and Bruce is a visual artist. We LOVE Airbnb and welcome you to our home. We can give you advice OR space! LGBTQ and BIPOC embraced.

Samantha is a Superhost

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Host details

Response rate: 100%
Responds within an hour
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Things to know

Cancellation policy
House rules
Check-in after 3:00 PM
Checkout before 12:00 PM
6 guests maximum
Safety & property
Exterior security cameras on property
Carbon monoxide alarm
Smoke alarm