Guests of The Pfister are often seen lingering on the mezzanine, admiring the Victorian art collection or pausing quietly to explore the display cases filled with historical artifacts. The artwork on the walls and the items in these cases are more than decorative objects, they are part of our story and the foundation that allows us to celebrate our rich history.
As we continue to uncover more pieces of our past, our goals remain simple: preserve, learn, and share. Some items in our collection are over 100 years old and irreplaceable. To help protect these treasures while making them accessible, we’ve chosen to digitize what we can.
We hope you enjoy exploring our collection and invite you to check back often to see if newly uncovered treasures have been added to our online “display case.”
Spanning over 80 pages, this book captures the timeless grandeur of The Pfister Hotel, tracing its legacy back to Guido and Charles Pfister’s vision when it first opened in 1893. Immerse yourself in the storied past of both the hotel and the city of Milwaukee, featuring rare archival glimpses of the "Grand Hotel of the West" as it appeared over 130 years ago.
This book offers a captivating visual journey, contrasting the grandeur of The Pfister's 1893 debut with its vibrant evolution in the late 1970s. Adding to its historical significance is a 1978 inscription by Ben Marcus, pledging to "maintain and preserve the charm and elegance in which this grand hotel was founded."
