Plaster + Patina: Stories From Green Bay's Historic Homes

In this episode of  Plaster + Patina , we explore the historic Mitchell Joannes House:  a late 1800s home tied to one of Green Bay’s most influential business families. Mitchell Joannes, born near Brussels, Belgium, became president of the Joannes Brothers Company, a wholesale grocery business that helped shape commerce across Wisconsin and northern Michigan and later evolved into what became part...

The Neville Legacy: Power, Preservation, and a Story That Shaped Green Bay In this episode of Plaster + Patina, we explore the Arthur C. Neville House and the lasting legacy of Arthur and Ella Neville: two figures whose impact on Green Bay extends far beyond their home. Host Al is joined by co-host Skip and Karen from the Green Bay Art Colony to uncover the story behind the Nevilles’ role in civic...

This week, Plaster + Patina flips the script. Host Al steps into the guest seat to share the story of his own home and the remarkable coincidences and love stories tied to it. From a shared last name across past and present residents, to love in the time of war, handwritten letters from decades past, and a binder filled with treasured keepsakes, this Valentine’s episode takes listeners on location...

How Astor Neighborhood Historic District came to be, the second part of a two part interview with founding director Jim Gucwa.

In our season finale of  Plaster + Patina , host Al sits down with longtime neighborhood steward Jim Gucwa, whose family has called the Astor area home for six decades. Together they explore the heart of what makes a place worth saving, from river memories and landmark stories like the community’s reflections on the Edmund Fitzgerald, to the everyday details that make Astor unique. Jim shares how...

This episode takes us to a single home in Green Bay — 840 South Madison Street — and unravels how its walls reflect more than a century of community life. We begin in the 1890s, when the house was a gathering spot for society receptions and trace its transformation through maps, architecture, and the social customs of the day. By the 1940s, the Minahan family brought new life to the property and a...

In this special Halloween edition of  Plaster + Patina , we lean into Green Bay’s spookier side. We sit down with Heather, founder of Windigo Paranormal, to talk about Haunted Astor. From the waters that shape our city’s energy, to first-hand stories from Hazlewood, one of Astor's Historic Neighborhood Landmarks, we take a deeper dive into some relished and little known stories. Of course, no...

Who new Green Bay once aspired to be a natural spring tourist mecca? Or that Monroe Street residents complained about speeders-before there were cars? We dig deep to bring you the little known fabulous story of Salvatore Springs.

Step inside 409 Lawe Street, a home built in 1911 and rich with local legacy. In this episode, we’re joined by author Lynda Drews whose nonfiction book The Maid and the Socialite features a real-life woman for whom this house was built. Together, we explore the personal histories, architecture, and deep community connections that make this home a living piece of Green Bay’s past. From historic tru...

In this episode of Plaster + Patina, Al and Skip take listeners to the Italianate home of 702 S. Monroe, a house built by dreams, marked by tragedy, and steeped in Green Bay history. Al and Skip explore a local tragedy, connections to city founders, Green Bay’s brewing legacy and even the Packers. Plus, a behind the scenes look at what it’s like researching local lore, parsing fact from fiction, a...

In this episode of Plaster + Patina , we sit down with Pat Reed, longtime resident and proud owner of one of the most iconic homes in the neighborhood. Pat takes us on a journey through time, sharing the rich history of his Victorian home, how the neighborhood has evolved over the decades, and what it means to be a steward of a historic property for over 50 years. From architectural details to com...

In this episode, we take a closer look at 402 Lawe Street—a home with roots reaching back to the 1800s. Moved from its original location and adapted over time, the house reflects the evolving story of the neighborhood around it. We’ll explore its history, and what the house tells us about how communities shift, preserve, and repurpose the past.

Discover the rich history of Astor, one of Green Bay’s oldest neighborhoods. In this debut episode of  Plaster + Patina , we explore the stories behind its charming architecture, the influential figures who shaped its growth, and what makes this historic district a local treasure.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR-LAUNCH DATE March 28th, 2:00 P.M. Plaster + Patina explores the stories created in our historic Green Bay neighborhoods. While celebrating the architecture, history, and vibrant communities that make each place unique, this podcast uncovers the hidden tales behind these homes, iconic landmarks, and the people who shaped them. Join our host, Al, as we dive into the rich cultural...