Whitewater Federation of Women's Clubs
Bassett House
708 W. Main St.
Whitewater WI
The Whitewater Federation of Women's Clubs
asks for Your Support on GivingTuesday, December 3, 2024.
Launched in 2012 as a day that encourages people to do good, it has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. This GivingTuesday, please consider a tax-deductible gift to help preserve Whitewater's own Bassett House.
Built in 1857, the Bassett House is one of the oldest buildings in Whitewater, Wisconsin. For almost 100 years, the Whitewater Federation of Women's Clubs (the WFWC) has been custodian of the Bassett House, which serves as the meeting place for Whitewater's women's clubs, the site of community events, and an events venue available to the public for private occasions.
For the last five years, the WFWC has been engaged in a comprehensive and necessary restoration of the Bassett House, from top to bottom and both inside and out. We are seeking donations to enable the WFWC to complete this essential work.
The Bassett House is a historic gem, a precious piece of Whitewater's heritage that also is part of life in Whitewater and surrounding communities today. Its preservation is a trust we all owe to current and future Whitewater residents and neighbors so they may enjoy and experience this piece of Whitewater history for years to come.
To donate, please click the pink "Donate" button at the very top of this page to donate electronically
or
make out your check to WFWC and send it to
Joyce Follis
252 S. Ardmor Drive
Whitewater, WI 53190
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!
Our 2025 SPRING CONCERT SERIES will be amazing!
We will be hosting three intimate and entertaining concerts at the Bassett House with wine and cheese pairings after the concerts when you'll meet the talented musicians and other concert attendees. The date of the first concert is April 6th with two more to follow. Check our website for updates as we unveil the featured artists. Tickets are $30 for one concert or $75 for all three. Student pricing is also available. More details and contact information will be provided soon.
Save the date! The next Ladies and Young Ladies Tea
will be held April 27, 2025. Poster below from our first concert series held in 2024.
Ladies and Young Ladies Tea
a Success
April 26th, 2024 a fun and charming "Ladies and Young Ladies Tea" was held at Whitewater's beautiful Bassett house. Highlights included the elegant table settings and many colorful hats. Attendees played tea party games while enjoying delicious sandwiches and pastries served by women from the Delta Zeta Sorority.
The Whitewater Federation of Women's Clubs puts on the annual event to raise funds for the preservation of the historic Bassett House.
Photos courtesy of Tom Ganser.
Whitewater Federation of Women's Clubs (WFWC) consists of two clubs: Emerson and Florence Bassett. Both clubs are currently recruiting new members. See the pages for each club at the top of the website. Contact any member or email bassetthousewhitewater@gmail.com for more information on joining.
Mission Statement: The Whitewater Federation of Women’s Clubs shall be a means of communication to provide for the betterment of our city, educational enrichment of our membership, and preservation of Bassett House.
Bassett House is available as a venue for your events
In addition to the meeting room, which has a capacity of 40, there is a kitchen, coat room, restroom, dining table with buffet and an alcove with a baby grand piano. For information on rentals, navigate to the rentals page.
History of Bassett House and the Bassett Family
The Bassetts came to Whitewater from New York state. Thomas owned and operated the Boot and Shoe Store which was located just west of the grist mill built on the creek in the 1830's. Mr. Bassett sold groceries, provisions and garden seeds in addition to boots and shoes.
Built in 1858 for Thomas and Bessie Vilas Bassett and daughter, Florence. Thomas lived in his lovely new home for only seven years before selling his store and moving for health reasons. Florence and her mother joined him in Denver, CO for three years then returned to Whitewater and continued to live in the house for the remainder of both of their lives.
Florence had been a member of one of the Federation clubs and treasured the friendships she had formed. The home was bequeathed to the Whitewater Federation of Women's Clubs by Florence Bassett in 1926.
Architecture: The house was built in the transitional Greek Revival style with Italianate features. The house remains essentially as built, although a two-story addition was made to the west side of the house in 1878 and several downstairs walls were removed on the first floor in order to form a large meeting room.
We're excited to share this video created by James Olm of Whitewater Landmarks Commission featuring the Bassett House.
