Kohler Design Center and American Club: A Glimpse into Kohler Village’s History and Industry
In Kohler village, history and industry intersect in a unique way. The American Club, built in 1918, was originally a Tudor-style building designed to house immigrant workers for Kohler Co. The club provided lodging for employees who had recently arrived in America, helping them acclimate to their new lives—hence the name. Today, the American Club operates as a luxury hotel, but its halls are filled with photos and memorabilia of early Kohler workers and the village’s founding, offering visitors a glimpse into the community’s origins.
The Kohler Design Center: A Journey Through Industrial History
Nearby, the Kohler Design Center, housed in a converted 1930s Kohler factory building, offers an immersive experience into the history of the Kohler Company. The Design Center features a museum exhibit that showcases the evolution of the company, including vintage plumbing fixtures and displays that highlight the ways Kohler influenced worker welfare and village planning. The Design Center illustrates the intersection of industrial development and thoughtful community planning that defined Kohler Co.’s approach to building a model company town.
Together, the American Club and the Kohler Design Center offer a fascinating look into the early 20th-century company town, providing insight into Kohler’s industrial history, its commitment to workers, and the development of a community built around a thriving business.
