Immersive Victorian lifestyle events, Beer Baron and Mother’s Day cruises, behind-the-scenes tours and more make for a historic 2026 season
LAKE GENEVA, Wis. – Black Point Estate and Gardens opens for the 2026 season on May 2, welcoming visitors back to one of Wisconsin’s most storied Gilded Age landmarks. This spring and summer, the Wisconsin Historical Society site and National Register of Historic Places landmark brings back guest favorites — from a Mother’s Day cruise celebrating the women who shaped Geneva Lake history to its popular Beer Baron tours — alongside an expanded Institute for Victorian Living series exploring the culture and customs of the late 19th century elite.
Constructed by Chicago Beer Baron Conrad Seipp in 1888, the 20-room Queen Anne-style home is considered one of the finest examples of period architecture and furniture in the Midwest, transporting visitors back to a period of rapid American expansion and wealth. Visitors arrive at Black Point Estate just as esteemed guests did in the late 1800s, sailing across Geneva Lake before heading inside for a guided manor tour led by historical interpreters who bring Seipp family history, architectural detail and Victorian interior design to life.
“As one of the area’s oldest and best-preserved homes of its kind, Black Point Estate allows us to continue to share important stories about Wisconsin in the Victorian era,” said David Desimone, director of Black Point Estate and Gardens. “Alongside our historic tours and cruises, we’re excited to showcase our Institute for Victorian Living series, highlighting Gilded Age wedding customs, handwritten correspondence and Victorian lawn and parlor games.”
In partnership with Lake Geneva Cruise Line, a cruise and interior tour of Black Point Estate and Gardens is $55 for adults (18-64), $53 for seniors (65+), $38 for youth (4-17) and free for children three and under. Wisconsin Historical Society members receive a $17 discount on tours and a 10% discount on ticketed events.
Spring Tours:
May 2 to 24, 2026 | One tour daily on Saturdays and Sundays (10:30 a.m.)
Summer Tours:
May 25 to Aug. 30, 2026 | One tour daily Mondays through Thursdays (10:30 a.m.), two tours daily Fridays through Sundays (10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.)
Tours depart from Riviera Docks in Lake Geneva. Visit BlackPointEstate.org for more information or to purchase tickets.
Upcoming Events at Black Point Estate and Gardens:
The Institute for Victorian Living
Black Point Estate invites guests to experience the elegance and intrigue of the Victorian era through a trio of immersive evenings exploring the culture and customs of the Gilded Age. The cost for these events is $75 per person.
- Weddings of Geneva Lake in the Gilded Age – Saturday, June 20, 5 to 7 p.m. Guests will spend an evening exploring the wedding culture of Gilded Age socialites through rare clothing, photography and the customs that made and broke elite marriages.
- Parlor and Lawn Games – Saturday, July 11, 5 to 7 p.m. Visitors will learn and play Victorian lawn and parlor games that once fueled high society.
- The Art of Correspondence – Saturday, Sept. 12, 5 to 7 p.m. This guided introduction to the art of Victorian correspondence includes the opportunity to compose, seal and mail letters on special stationery.
Remarkable Women of Lake Geneva Cruise – Sunday, May 10, 12:30 to 4 p.m.
The narrated Mother’s Day boat cruise travels past many of the lake’s historic homes and landmarks, with a historic interpreter sharing stories of the fascinating women who lived and worked along its shores. The experience includes a tour of Black Point Estate and a complimentary glass of wine. The cost for adults is $75 per person; children under five receive free admission.
Beer Barons of Lake Geneva Cruise – Saturday, June 13, July 18, Aug. 15, 12:30 to 4 p.m.
This afternoon cruise explores the stories and legacies of beer barons — including the famous Schlitz family — who once vacationed and lived on Lake Geneva. In addition to a tour of Black Point Estate, guests are treated to a beer tasting highlighting brews unique to the region. The cost for adults is $75 per person.
Lakeside Stroll & Estate Tour – Thursdays, June 4 to Aug. 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This nature-themed tour takes visitors along the Geneva Lake Shore Path, a scenic four-mile trail with picturesque views of historic homes and the surrounding shoreline. Guides will share stories of those who built and maintained these lakeside retreats before leading guests through the ground floor of Black Point Estate. The cost is $50 per person.
Nooks and Crannies Tour – Thursdays, June 4 to Aug. 27, 12:30 to 4 p.m.
Guests can go beyond the velvet ropes of Black Point Estate during a rare tour of all three floors of the manor. Along with the tour, visitors will get an exclusive glimpse inside the iconic Black Point tower and a complimentary drink to toast the legacy of Conrad Seipp. The cost for adults is $60 per person.
An Evening with Agatha Christie –Saturday,June 27 and Sept. 19, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Visitors experience an intimate evening tour of the first floor of Black Point Estate, then step onto the veranda for a conversation with Agatha Christie herself — one of history’s most celebrated mystery writers — brought to life by local historian and actor Chris Brookes. The cost is $40 per person.
She Sips & Sails: A Ladies’ Brew Adventure – Saturday, Aug. 1, 12:30 to 4 p.m.
This by-women, for-women cruise pairs exceptional regional craft beverages with the fascinating history of beer barons who helped shape Geneva Lake, the Greater Milwaukee and Chicago areas and beyond. The cost for adults is $75 per person.
About Black Point Estate and Gardens
Black Point Estate and Gardens is among the Wisconsin Historical Society’s 12 historic sites and museums. The Geneva Lake estate is a 20-room Queen Anne-style mansion built by Chicago beer baron Conrad Seipp with construction completed in 1888. The lakeside summer home is surrounded by seven acres of gardens and natural areas. Visitors reach the site by boat just as family and friends did in a bygone era, and tickets can be booked through the Lake Geneva Cruise Line. For more information and a list of upcoming events visit blackpointestate.org or call (262) 248-1888. Wisconsin Historical Society members receive discounted admission to this site.
About Wisconsin Historical Society
The Wisconsin Historical Society, founded in 1846, ranks as one of the largest, most active and most diversified state historical societies in the nation. As both a state agency and a private membership organization, its mission is to help people connect to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing stories. The Wisconsin Historical Society serves millions of people every year through a wide range of sites, programs and services. For more information, visit WisconsinHistory.org.
