Great news!
Last night the city council chose to amend what the Planning Commission sent that only landmarked part of the East Gate Building (Youth Building). Instead the Council chose to go with the Historic Preservation Commission recommendation which was landmarking the whole building.
The Council voted 9-2 to landmark the East Gate Building (Youth Building) with only two nos coming from Alder Watson and Alder Henke.
Thanks to all who showed support in landmarking the whole building, not just a part of it. Thanks to Christine and Carl for standing in front of the council for the group to ask the council to landmark the whole building. AND thank you to the city council for voting to pass the landmarking of the East Gate Building (Youth Building).
Let’s celebrate again as we once again protected Wausau’s history for future generations to enjoy!
History
Built in 1939 with granite in the architectural style of Vernacular. At one time it featured a large stage.
On the north side of the granite wall part of the building there is NYA within the granite. It is hard to see with a quick glance, but once you see it, it becomes plain as day.
NYA means National Youth Administration which was a New Deal agency established in 1935 to provide work and educational opportunities for young people aged 16-25 during the Great Depression.
Today the building is used to house the 4H, FFA, and other youth entries. This includes all types of exhibits like cake decorating, clothing, knotting and crocheting, wood and metal working, Lego and other models, collections, food preservation, visual arts, and numerous others, It also includes the work of the very youngest 4H members- the Cloverbuds.
On the Saturday of the fair the Gladiolus Society takes over the upper part of the building, called the Stone Wing, for the Annual The Gladiolus Show. Individual spikes, groupings, and special arrangements compete for top prize, as well as People’s Choice Award. The Society also sells individual flower spikes for fair goers each year.
The building also has a rich history of being used for many things such as when Martin Luther King Jr. came to town on May 12, 1967. He was a special guest speaker at “Center Week,” held at the end of the semester by the Marathon County Center University (UWSP at Wausau), which featured speakers and programs on a number of topics.
A huge White Pine log sits in front of the building is a white pine and it states “White Pine Commemorating Wausau Pioneer Lumber Industry Cut Dec. 29 1937 by Yawkey-Alexanderler. CO at Dubler,Wis. 500 years old Kiwanis Project.”
