Mabel Tainter window restoration project

Our most recent restoration project is underway!

If you've been inside The Mabel, you'll probably recognize the gorgeous memorial stained glass windows for Mabel, Andrew, and Bertha Tainter. With time, they have started to bow and take on some expected wear, so it was time to get them back in tip-top shape.  

Conrad Schmitt Studios (coincidentally, also founded in 1889!) stopped by earlier this week to carefully remove the stained glass windows to be completely taken apart, cleaned and restored, and then put back together by about December 2026! It's always a neat experience to learn about how our historic building was constructed originally, but it is also interesting to learn what we are doing today to preserve that artistry while also maintaining its functionality!

As we're sure you can imagine, this was not a cheap project to take on, estimating a cost of $112,000. Thankfully, we've received a grant from the Royal Credit Union Foundation covering $55,000 of the cost, and another grant from the City of Menomonie covering $12,000! We're so grateful for their help on preserving The Mabel Tainter's history!

We still have about $45,000 of this project to fund. If you're interested in donating towards our goal, you can do so HERE.

From the Mabel Tainter Facebook page.