If you are a frequent visitor to the Target on Chase Avenue in Milwaukee, there is probably a good chance you’ve seen a sign directing you to the Historic Hide House. A few weeks ago, I had some spare time and decided to check out what exactly this was. What I came across is what looked like a run down old tannery.

After doing some research online, I found out that the Hide House is actually a lot more than that. From their website, I found out that the place used to be the Greenbaum Tanning Company until that closed in the 1940’s. It basically sat there and decayed for 60 years until a company bought it, renovated it, and it is now used to house artists and musicans from Milwaukee that need practice and office space. They have held numerous gallery nights, dance recitals, and even wedding receptions there.

I know Milwaukee is known for our breweries and being a “blue-collar” town, but I had no idea that we had this many tanneries. I know of at least 3 now, and I’m sure there are plenty more–look for my tannery research in an upcoming article here at tarapfeifer.com.