The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-09-02
Structure Is
Copied From
Alpine Style
BY MARION KOCH
NEA Service Corresnord.r.

KOHLER, Wis, Sept. "A wom-
ans dream has been realized in the
completion of Waelderhaus. ga
mouse in the woods" which was
presented recently to the Girl
scouts Of this city by Miss Marie
9. Kohler, Girl Scout leader and
clubwoman.
AS the only architectural creation
OF its kind IN the United States,
1t is receiving national acclaim from
visitors from far and near.
The place is reproduction of
the houses characteristic of Bregen-
zerwald--a section near Lake Con-
stance, in the Alpine province of
Vorarlberg, Austria, the ancestral
and childhood home of Miss Koh-
4er's father. John M. Kohler, in
whose memoir the house was
erected.
The donor had three purposes in
her generous ambition. She wished
to typify the Bregenzerwaelderstil
OF which she has long been an
ardent admirer, to preserve the
kohler family traditions, and to
provide the Girl Scouts with COM
munity center.
Engaged Austrian Architect
But without the services of Kas-
per Albrecht, world-famous Aus
TRAN architect and sculptor, this
unique and artistic structure might
never have been built.
Miss Kohler met Albrecht on one
of her European trips, disclosed her
plans for home for Girl Scouts,
discussed it's erection through cor
respondence and finally, because the
latter method caused too many de-
tails, asked Albrecht to come to
America.
For two years here the architect
was constantly busy with the de-
tails Of construction.
Squared fir timbers form the ex-
terror of the three-story building.
Two attractive verandas typical Of
the Bregenzerwald style of archi-
lecture. with colorful window boxes,
add to its quaint grandeur. A
sun dial painted on the eastern side
OF the structure tells the time dur
ing the morning hours.
In the basement is a spacious
kitchen completely equipped with
every modern convenience, and a
dining room resembling a refectory.
Dressing and makeup rooms,
Mushrooms and shower baths are
also in this section Of the house.
Furnishings Are Typical
A group of rooms typical of those
In Bregenzerwald home are most
interesting in their furnishings.
These include the kitchen, the
work thinner" or work room, the
"Stube' or living room, and bed
room. All of these are on the Sec
ond floor.
In every detail these rooms are
furnished in true Tyrolean style |
with many original pieces and repli-
cas-. The outstanding contributions |
to these rooms are the stoves. One
is a china "kachel ofen" which was
used in the home of Miss Kohler's |
great-grandparents.
A room dedicated to the founder
of the Scouting movement is on the
same floor. 1t is the Baden-Powell
room.
Colored emblemS of various coun-
tries in the world which have Girl
Scouting form the border on the
walls. Large PLAQUES with the Girl
Scout laws are placed on either side
of the fireplace, above which is the
Girl Scout emblem.
The windows on the opposite wall
have colcred figures of Faith, Hope
and Charity. The metallic radiator
coverings picture the recreations Of
Girl Scouts-archery, star gazing
and boating. A gorgeous tapestry
of Joan of Arc designed by Albrecht |
adds distinction to one wall.
The keeper and his family occupy |
an apartment on the third floor, |
where is also a child's room and a
room for theatrical equipment.