Friends of Villa Terrace

The mission of the Friends of Villa Terrace (FOVT) is to care for the Renaissance Garden and support the Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum.

FOVT was founded in 1990. In 1997, the Friends set about to restore the Villa’s garden, with a focus on the original plans. Wisconsin landscape architect Dennis Buettner was entrusted with the design. He researched historical Greek and Roman outdoor spaces to create a Renaissance Garden on the shores of Lake Michigan.

A $1.75 million fundraising campaign by the Friends brought this vision to reality. The garden reopened in 2002. For a virtual tour of the Renaissance Garden, click here.

The Friends solely support the Renaissance Garden, relying on volunteers and donors. FOVT’s main financial support comes from the Villa Terrace Gala in the Garden fundraiser held every other summer.

Other reoccurring Friends’ fundraisers include Della Robbia — the annual holiday party, the Spring Garden lecture series, and on alternate summers Villa Luna, which celebrates the full moon rising over Villa Terrace.

In addition, the Friends host a variety of events, including children’s educational activities, theater performances, cooking demonstrations and design presentations.

Donations and volunteers are always needed and welcome to support the Friends maintain and preserve this unique piece of Milwaukee for generations to come.

For much more information about the Friends of Villa Terrace, please visit our website: https://www.friendsofvillaterrace.org

Upcoming Events and Volunteer Opportunities

Stay tuned for information on reopening and future programming.

Membership in the Friends of Villa Terrace is open to all members of the Charles Allis and Villa Terrace Art Museums (join the museums here).

To join FOVT, please send a check for $40 to:

Friends of Villa Terrace
2220 N. Terrace Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53202

Or join online at Join/Donate

More information about the Friends of Villa Terrace is available at their website: www.friendsofvillaterrace.org

Contact Us

414-376-9110
fovt@cavtmuseums.org