Carl Peterson Sculpture Garden Carl Peterson (1969)

Carl Peterson transformed his yard in St. James, Minnesota, into an enchanted kingdom of animals, castles, churches, and towers. He began his work in the early 1920s and created for more than 40 years. A son, Filbert, lived in the home until 1985, at which point a Minnesota art and antiques dealer purchased the work and dismantled the site. Kohler Foundation was first made aware of Peterson's work when a small group of sculptures went up for auction in Maine. Kohler Foundation acquired 10 pieces at auction, brought them to Wisconsin, and had them fully conserved. This began the search for more information and ultimately the goal to reassemble as much of the original environment as possible. 

Additional pieces were acquired from the dealer who dismantled the original site, and after major conservation, were installed at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center. The Peterson family has visited a number of times and even hosted a family wedding among the restored sculptures. 

Text: “Carl Peterson” Kohler Foundation: A History, edited by Terri Yoho, Kohler Foundation, Inc., 2018, pp. 306-311.

608 New York Avenue
Sheboygan, WI, 53081 us
Latitude/Longitude: 43.7525321 / -87.7104213

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