Why was the Painted Forest built?
Around 1890, the men of the Valton area community organized a “camp” or local unit of the Modern Woodmen of America (MWA).  They employed the itinerant painter Ernest Hüpeden to decorate the interior of their “camp” with murals. The building, first known as Wood Hall, came much later to be known as “The Painted Forest.” 

The MWA was not only a life insurance company that assisted widows and orphans, but also a fraternal organization intended by its founder to “provide wholesome social activities and character building” in a lodge system known as “camps.” 

These camps, like the one in Valton, sponsored family picnics and other social activities, as well as monthly meetings, initiation rituals for new members and local community gatherings.   The vivid imaginative scenes painted by Ernest Hüpeden recreate a remarkable vision of life, death, initiation rituals, and the aspirations of the Valton camp members.

Back to top.

Who was Ernest Hüpeden?
The itinerant painter of the unique murals at The Painted Forest came to New York from Germany in 1878, after imprisonment on a false accusation of embezzlement.  During his prison years, Hüpeden taught himself to paint. 

About 20 years after arriving in New York, he reached Wisconsin and supported himself by painting barns or whatever came to hand along the way.  In Valton he spent two years (1897-99) painting the entire interior of the MWA camp building—stage curtain, walls and ceiling. In exchange for his expertise, the MWA gave him free room and board.  

Little is known about this self-taught artist, and few of his works have survived.  Many small paintings were ephemeral:  portraits or landscapes painted on plates and bottles.  He was found dead in a snow bank in Hillsboro, Wisconsin, about a dozen years after he had completed his masterwork, the Painted Forest.

Back to top.

What is the Kohler Foundation's role?
After its use as a MWA camp, the Painted Forest building was used for public gatherings by the local community until it gradually fell into disuse.  In the early 1980s, the Kohler Foundation, which had purchased the site, undertook extensive preservation work, restoring the building and its remarkable murals.  The Foundation then entrusted the site to Sauk County (with tours provided by the Historical Society of the Upper Baraboo Valley), which cared for it for many years.  In 2004, the Kohler Foundation gave the Painted Forest to Edgewood College to foster the use of the site for educational and historic purposes and to preserve this unique work of art.

The Kohler Foundation supports education and art, as well as Wisconsin culture and heritage, through scholarships, grants, distinguished guest series, Waelderhaus, and art preservation initiatives.  Since the late 1970s, the preservation of folk architecture, art environments, and collections by self-taught artists has been a major focus of the Foundation.   Collections or sites are either acquired by or gifted to a county, municipality, museum, or educational institution for the education and enjoyment of the public.  The Kohler Foundation works with the recipient to ensure the preservation and educational benefits of the site or collection for the future.

The Kohler Foundation’s art preservation efforts are at the forefront of the self-taught and outsider-art movements, and the Foundation has received many awards for its role in preservation and arts education.

Back to top.

Edgewood College's Role: Today and Tomorrow
In October 2004, the Kohler Foundation gave the Painted Forest site to Edgewood College of Madison, Wisconsin, to use as an educational center and museum. The College has pledged to continue the site’s role in educating students, artists, researchers and other visitors and to preserve this unique Wisconsin “outsider” art treasure for the future.

Edgewood College has sponsored on-campus exhibits of artists like Mona Webb and Dr. Evermor.  Recently the College acquired several sculptures by Dr. Charles Smith—gifts from the Kohler Foundation collection.  These remarkable self-taught or “outsider” artists provide exciting evidence of the power of the creative human spirit transforming often-humble materials into works of art.
The arts have long played an important role in the educational traditions of Edgewood College—from its opening more than 75 years ago to the present day when experience of the arts is a requirement in each student’s degree program.

A Dominican, Catholic college founded by the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters in 1927, Edgewood offers graduate and undergraduate degrees in the arts, sciences, humanities, and professional programs.

The College’s concern with partnership in community and respect for the natural environment promises that its presence in the Valton community and the beautiful Upper Baraboo River county will be that of a “good neighbor” for years to come.

Back to top.

Directions
The Painted Forest site is located northwest of Madison in Valton, Wisconsin.

From Madison ...
Take 90/94 North, Exit Highway 33 west to County Road EE south to the site.

From La Crosse ...
Take Highway 33 east to County Road EE south to the site.

Back to top.

Why was the Painted Forest built?

Who was Ernest Hüpeden?

What is the Kohler Foundation's role?

Edgewood College's Role: Today and Tomorrow

Directions