Kneeland-Walker House, Little Red Store Get All Dressed Up for Christmas

The will open up its two prized properties to the public this weekend to show them off in full holiday finery.

The doors to the Kneeland-Walker House, usually opened only for scheduled tours, will be thrown wide in welcome to all comers as the historic home is transformed into the Merry Christmas House.

The society promises visitors a "lavish setting of winter splendor" with holiday decorations and special exhibits. Open house hours are from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Built in 1890, the Queen Anne-style Victorian home at 7406 Hillcrest Dr. was bought by the historical society in 1987, and extensively restored and furnished with period pieces and décor provide insight into life in Wauwatosa in earlier times.

The Kneeland-Walker House is a designated Wauwatosa landmark, a Milwaukee County landmark, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

There's More in Store

The historical society will also host open house hours from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at the Little Red Store in conjunction with the Holiday Magic in the Village event. The store, typically available only by appointment during the winter, will also be decorated for Christmas.

Now Wauwatosa's Visitor Center, the Little Red Store, 7720 Harwood Ave., is part of Wauwatosa's earliest history as the oldest original post office in Milwaukee County. The 1854 building has also served throughout the years as a railroad station, general store, library, a meeting place for political groups, harness shop, grocery and plumbing shop.