Kohler Foundation
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| Founded | 1940 |
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| Founders | Evangeline Kohler Marie Christine Kohler Lillie B. Kohler Herbert V. Kohler, Sr. O.A. Kroos |
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| Website | www |
Kohler Foundation, Inc. is a philanthropic organization that works in the areas of art preservation, grants, scholarships, and performing arts.
Kohler Foundation was founded in 1940 by Evangeline Kohler, Marie Christine Kohler, Lillie B. Kohler, Herbert V. Kohler, Sr. and O.A. Kroos. The original stated purpose of the foundation was for programs involving the aged, orphans, infirm, students, victims of floods, famine, epidemics, tornado and other national emergencies.
When Marie Kohler died in 1943, her will specified that the major portion of her estate went to the Kohler Foundation.
Marie Christine Kohler was instrumental in construction of the Waelderhaus in the Village of Kohler. It was designed by Austrian architect Kaspar Albrecht and was designed a tribute to the tradition of Bregenzerwald (forest of Bregenz) Province of Vorarlberg, Austria. The name Waelderhaus means forest house. The building was dedicated to the use of the girl scouts and the Kohler Woman's Club upon completion in 1931. The building is currently managed by the Kohler Foundation and is open for tours and is available for events.
In 1950, the foundation purchased the Wade House in Greenbush, Wisconsin for the purposes of restoration and preservation. After the restoration was completed, the house was turned over to State Historical Society of Wisconsin.
The foundation was a major sponsor of the construction of the Kohler Memorial addition to the Kohler public school which opened in 1957. The foundation contributed $300,000. The other major contributors to the project were a trust from the late Governor Kohler worth $500,000, The Village of Kohler, and the Joint School District No. 2. The building cost $1,500,000 to construct and consisted of a grand theater, gymnasium, indoor-outdoor swimming pool, and a youth center. After it was opened, the events for the Distinguished Guest Series were moved to the theater in the building.
Also in 1957, The hospital in Plymouth, Wisconsin completed an addition to which the Foundation contributed $60,000 towards construction of the east wing which was named The Kohler Wing.
In 1966, the Kohler Foundation gifted the Kohler homestead on New York Avenue in Sheboygan, to the Sheboygan Arts Foundation, Inc. for the establishment of a community arts center. The arts center was named the John Michael Kohler Arts Center.
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