Take a Cruise to the Victorian Summer Retreat of a Chicago Beer Baron
Black Point Estate was built for Chicago Beer Baron, Conrad Seipp, in 1888 as a retreat, and in that spirit the home remains a place to relax, refresh, and explore. Just like the Victorian VIPs who established the estate, you’ll arrive in style and enjoy stunning Geneva Lake views on your cruise to this magnificent summer home, considered one of the finest examples of period architecture and furniture in the Midwest, and one of the oldest homes in Lake Geneva.
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Black Point Estate and Gardens
Step into Gilded Age elegance at the 1888 Summer home of Chicago beer baron, Conrad Seipp. Guests enjoy a narrated boat ride to the property via the Lake Geneva Cruise Line, a guided tour of the mansion, & time to relax and sip Seipp beer on the veranda.
In the summer of 2023, interns Maria Dickfoss and Kyreland (Kiki) Nolan interviewed more than forty Black Point volunteers and staff members. We will be sharing one of those interviews each week during 2025.
What is your name and how long have you worked at Black Point?
My name is Faith Long and I’ve worked at Black Point for three years.
How did you start working at Black Point?
I reached out to Dave, the director at Black Point after I graduated high school and asked if there were any positions open for the upcoming summer because my major is history.
What did you do before working here?
I worked in a store throughout high school.
How long is your connection to this area?
My whole life, I have lived in Walworth County my whole life... So 21 years so far.
What is your favorite story or artifact in the house?
I like the dining room wallpaper, I like the dining room in general, but I really like the wallpaper.
Is there anything else that stands out to you about Black Point that not many people know?
I think in general a lot of people even from the area don’t even know a lot about Black Point.. Like they might have heard of it, but they don’t really know what it is. I think Black Point in general is just a hidden gem of this area that often goes overlooked. So, I think it’s really special when people actually do visit and they are like, “Oh I have lived in this area forever and didn’t know this totally preserved Victorian house has been here.” I guess I like giving the historical context of the Pottawatomie people that were here before the white settlers, I give a few minutes of my tour to talk about them and their influence on the area and their unfortunate forced removal. ... See MoreSee Less
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Awww I didn’t realize there was still more interviews goodness!!
Such a great human! My daughter got to know Miss Faith when there were art classes at Black Point. Sure hope those make a comeback.
Our next Storyteller program at the Geneva Tap House is tonight, December 18th from 6-8PM.
On the program are stories from:
Adam Smith
Susan Jane Elbert Steele
Michael Rehberg
and Rita Moore
Audience members are also welcome to share a story.
Come out and meet your neighbors, one story at a time,
This event is free and open to all. ... See MoreSee Less
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Geneva Tap House
We hope everyone enjoyed the early thaw! ... See MoreSee Less
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