Breathing Life Back in to the Fresh Air Pavilion
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At the turn of the 20th Century buildings along the lakefront were not only used for relaxation, they were also used to promote health. One of the major health concerns at the time was tuberculosis. While TB had been around for centuries, "modern" medicine was just evolving from Galenic medicine to an understanding of germs and microbes. Theories surrounding TB were still uncertain, but most doctors agreed there was a direct connection between poverty, close living quarters and the spread of this potentially fatal disease. In cities across the country people were urged to get outside as often as possible. The need for a safe place to bring children suffering from TB fell into the hands of James Gurney Taylor. Working with the Fortnightly Club, an intellectual group that sought to help the community, the Milwaukee Infants Fresh Air Pavilion was born. Located along the lakefront (prior to being built out) and across water tower road from the pumping station, the pavilion was designed to allow children being treated at St. Mary's to spend time in the care of nurses while getting the fresh air that would improve their condition. The building was built in 1894 and stood until some time in the 1920's. It switched hands from the Fortnightly club to the Red Cross and eventually was handed to the Milwaukee Health Department. With advances in medicine and a better understanding of TB, the pavilion was no longer used, and eventually destroyed.
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Locating the Milwaukee Infants Fresh Air Pavilion
While working on a different project, a private collector handed me copies of the pictures you see above and asked if I had any ideas as to where the building was, or what it was used for. At the time there wasn't much spare time to pursue outside projects but I told her I would work on it as soon as I had a chance. As it turned out that chance came sooner than I thought. I spent time working with my project mentor trying to get any sort of lead on what the mysterious "baby hammocks" could have been used for.
My first stop was AGSL and the Sandborn maps. The building was not there. I scheduled a visit with the Archivist at Milwaukee Public library and to my surprise, when I got there, she had not only been able to turn up the original photos, but found an article in the Milwaukee Journal from 1974. After spending some time with microfilms I was able to uncover a few more articles that mentioned the pavilion. As it turns out, the Pavilion was used as part of the Milwaukee Infants Hospital for children suffering with tuberculosis.
My first stop was AGSL and the Sandborn maps. The building was not there. I scheduled a visit with the Archivist at Milwaukee Public library and to my surprise, when I got there, she had not only been able to turn up the original photos, but found an article in the Milwaukee Journal from 1974. After spending some time with microfilms I was able to uncover a few more articles that mentioned the pavilion. As it turns out, the Pavilion was used as part of the Milwaukee Infants Hospital for children suffering with tuberculosis.
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It is hard to know the exact position of the Fresh Air Pavilion. Thankfully there is a distinctive stone arch patio in the background of the picture on the left that still stands. It is possible at one time that archway was the homeowners path to the beach or even a dock.
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Danielle Eyre
University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee
Encyclopedia of Milwaukee, Understories
University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee
Encyclopedia of Milwaukee, Understories
