BLOOMING GROVE

4811 Tonyawatha Trail

 

Although it was built as recently as 1932, the stucco and wood Tudor-style home has a firm foundation on another era. It utilizes the cobblestone foundation of an earlier home which was built in 1890 and later removed to make room for the present house. Built by Otto A. Schroeder, then a prominent Madison undertaker, on the location of his parent's earlier home, the house was designed by Frank Riley and incorporated the existing underground tunnels by which the early boathouse and stable were reached.

 

Aaron Bohrod, artist-in-residence from 1948-1973 at the University, purchased the house in 1959. The main entrance hall shows an inviting spatial arrangement. To the left is a broad, dark oak stairway with carved spindles. Double doors at the foot of the stairway lead down to steps into the living room measuring 20 feet by 30 feet. The smoothsurfaced limestone fireplace at one end extends 30 feet upward to the cathedral-shaped ceiling; a small balcony looks down from the other end. A fireplace trimmed in black onyx is at one end of the dining room. A smoky-oak-paneled study is to the rear of the dining room. The second floor contains three bedtooms with charming gabled windows. A small "Juliette" balcony is off the east bedroom. Located northeast of the house, Bohrod's studio was designed in 1959 by Spring Green Architect Herb Fritz.