In 2009, Louis Munier established the Endowment for Pearl Park at the Community Foundation in memory of his late wife, Mary Ellen who died in 2003.
Pearl Park is located at the foot of Michigan Hill at Milton and West streets. Once part of the Pearl Packing business, the land was donated in 1989 to the city of Madison, which designated it a public park in 1992. Mary Ellen Munier was determined to clean it up and move to the park historic buildings in Jefferson County that were in danger of demolition. Saved and moved buildings at the park include: Dr. Sanderson’s dental and medical office from Kent, a rare French-style bee house and honey house from the Manville area, an adjacent shotgun house (donated by King’s Daughters’ Hospital), and the Suter Wagon Factory from Papermill Road. The factory had been owned by Mary Ellen’s ancestors. It had been disassembled, with each piece numbered so it could be reconstructed. It contains many of its original tools and a wagon built in the factory.
Grants from the endowment will be used to upgrade the buildings and bring others to Pearl Park.
To donate to this fund, click the GIVE NOW button and type “Endowment for Pearl Park” in the “Fund Donating To:” box.
