Banker Wire Helps Restore Mansion Hill Inn to Former Glory

MUKWONAGO, WI—FEBRUARY 19, 2013—For more than 150 years, the Mansion Hill Inn’s ornate exterior has radiated stately elegance. Thanks to the restoration efforts of Banker Wire, the Madison, WI bed and breakfast’s ornamental ironwork will continue to charm guests and passersby for years to come.

The 9000-square-foot inn served originally as a single-family residence. Constructed in 1857 in the spirit of the Romanesque Revival, its distinct exterior wrought iron has never been altered. Maintaining the 19th-century artistry and design of the Madison historic site while restoring its ironwork was essential.

In the spirit of preserving historical integrity, the Mansion Hill Inn contracted Wolfgang Schweizer of Milwaukee-based German Blacksmith, LLC, to dismantle and repair the ornamental wire on the building’s iconic balcony. Schweizer, who works in the tradition of Old World craftsmanship, approached Banker Wire for help with the task because the company offers fully customizable wire weaves.

“This project was special because it allowed us the opportunity to recreate history,” says Harrison Horan, Vice President of Marketing at Banker Wire. “Whether we’re looking into history or toward the future for inspiration, our custom weaves can meet the most modern or traditional designs. The material’s timeless look is relevant in any era.”

Banker Wire created a unique die to duplicate the original ironwork’s slightly irregular decorative crimping pattern. The crimped wires were then assembled individually by hand, in a process reminiscent of their 1857 creation. The restored pattern now sits again where it has for more than a century – atop the balcony over the inn’s front entrance.

The characteristics inherent in Banker Wire mesh make it ideal for a restoration project like the Mansion Hill Inn. Design flexibility allows the material to match any time period, and durability ensures that it will last far into the future.

“Guests always comment on the balcony, as it speaks to a time gone-by. We’re grateful to Banker Wire for helping us recreate this wonderful detail of the past that you don’t see in today’s buildings,” says Margaux Stutz, general manager of the bed and breakfast.

For more information about the Mansion Hill Inn, visit: www.mansionhillinn.com.

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About Banker Wire
Banker Wire is the world’s leading manufacturer of woven and welded wire mesh for architectural and industrial applications. With the most modern and productive mill in the U.S., Banker Wire provides custom-weaved material for any aesthetic on any scale – from intricate design highlights to expansive building facades. Founded in 1896, Banker Wire’s manufacturing expertise has been refined for more than a century, bringing unmatched customization, quality, and service to customers. State-of-the-art grid welding equipment provide a wide variety of wire alloy, spacing and diameter configurations, trimmed or untrimmed. For more information visit https://www.bankerwire.com.

About Architectural Woven Wire Mesh
Pre-crimped woven wire mesh is constructed of individual wires that are crimped prior to being woven together on a loom. Pre-crimping the wires provides a much higher degree of control during the weaving process. This allows for far more intricate and interesting patterns, as well as unique customization, to meet the vision of the designer. Banker Wire has refined and innovated its crimping process more than any other manufacturer, delivering more than 8,000 different spacing, diameter, and crimp combinations, plus endless customization options. As a result, Banker can make any woven wire mesh pattern imaginable – manufactured to specify for any project type.

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