The Lincoln Tallman Museum

The Museum

A Rock County icon, the Lincoln-Tallman House museum originally was the residence of the William Tallman family from 1857 to 1915.

Operating as a historic house museum since 1951, the Lincoln-Tallman House has evolved into a site that can offer a traditional museum experience while providing its spaces for everyday use by the community. Rentals, educational programs, dining and other non-museum events have been hosted by the Tallman house in the recent past.

The Lincoln-Tallman House is now seen as a venue that can be used and shared by all to create new history while still being true to its mission of interpreting local history.

Meet the Tallmans

Seeing Janesville, Wisconsin, as the perfect place from which to manage his land purchases, William Morrison Tallman constructed a stately residence just north of the city’s center. Completed in 1857, the Tallman’s lived an affluent life, common to the upper-class in America during the 19th Century. With the help of family diaries and letters, as well as newspapers from the period, we are able to provide detailed information about their lives and the history of the area.

Three generations of Tallmans lived on the original footprint of the family homestead, finally shuttering the original residence in 1915. The transfer of property to the City of Janesville ensured that their home would be operated as a house museum in perpetuity for the benefit of Janesville and Rock County residents and visitors.

WILLIAM MORRISON TALLMAN

1808-1878

EMELINE DEXTER TALLMAN

1812-1878

WILLIAM HENRY TALLMAN

1832-1902

CORNELIA AUGUSTA TALLMAN

1836-1866

EDGAR DEXTER TALLMAN

1836-1896

NELLIE NORTON TALLMAN

1839-1924

CHARLES EDWARD TALLMAN

1877-1948

GEORGE KEMP TALLMAN

1874-1950

Tours

The Rock County Historical Society offers several Tallman tours. Each, in its own way, will educate, excite and stimulate the senses as we take you on an exciting journey, telling the story of a Rock County family, during a turbulent period in American history. From our Traditional Tour to Help Wanted, we have a story to tell to every visitor inside the Lincoln-Tallman House.

Visit

Rent

Make your own history inside the Lincoln-Tallman House! Host your next party, meeting or activity in the ornate spaces of this historic, 19th-century Italianate mansion. Rental and photography packages are available that offer that one-of-a-kind, vintage, unforgettable experience. Be comfortable with the knowledge that your rental and use of the venue directly supports its sustainability.

Host an Event

Events

Help us take down the velvet ropes of the Tallman house as we create unique, dynamic events that make history fun and entertaining. Our goal is to make the Lincoln-Tallman House relevant to the next generation. Offering the site as a forum for other organizations and individuals is essential in broadening the site and the Society’s mission in Rock County.

Upcoming Events