Wisconsin’s historic gem: a tale of Victorian splendor renovated with natural slate

Wagon manufacturers, Peter and Henry Schuttler, were seeking a tranquil retreat and chose the picturesque city of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin for their Victorian masterpiece. The historic gem finished construction in 1879 and became the family’s summer escape.

Since 1925, the nineteen-room mansion has been serving as a hotel, undergoing many renovations while maintaining the historical charm. The Schuttler family home, now operating as the Inn at Pine Terrace, recently underwent a thoughtful yet transformative renovation, which included a new natural slate roof.

With the need for both preservation and enhancement, the decision was made to replace the aging asbestos roof, damaged by a relentless hailstorm, with a resilient and aesthetically pleasing natural slate roof.

When selecting the roofing material, the owners fell in love with the deep black, unfading hue of the CUPA 7 natural slate. The slate perfectly met the desired look envisioned by the owners and the unique texture provided by the expertly split the slate to a 9mm thickness was an added bonus.

Heins Contracting was in charge of the installation of the new natural slate roof. Co-owner Bryan Heins, recalls:

Installing of the slate went very well for how complicated the house is. We love working with natural slate because it is almost art in doing the roof and is a lifetime roof.

The Inn at Pine Terrace owners were also thrilled with the outcome beyond the desired aesthetic; the installation of natural slate brought them peace of mind with its long lifespan and minimal maintenance requirements.

Surrounded by enchanting gardens and sprawling across 150+ acres, the Inn at Pine Terrace beckons guests to immerse themselves in the serenity of its natural surroundings.

This esteemed hotel has hosted distinguished guests, including American presidents and literature icons such as Mark Twain, contributing to its storied legacy.