This marks the site of two structures that together spanned 114 years of Dane County history.

Overlooking Lake Wingra, Edgewood Villa was built in 1855 for New York lawyer, John Ashmead. In 1856, Samuel Marshall, co-founder of the Marshall and Ilsley banking firm, acquired the home and the surrounding 55 acres. Governor Cadwallader C. Washburn purchased the property in 1873, and the Villa served as the Executive Residence for the remainder of his term.

In 1881, Washburn deeded the estate to the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa "to be used for educational purposes of the highest order." St. Regina's Academy, moved from downtown Madison, operated in the facility until the Villa burned in 1893. Edgewood Academy of the Sacred Heart, erected as its replacement, served many different functions, including boarding school, high school, college and convent, until razed in 1969.

Today, 100 years later, the Edgewood complex provides education at all levels.

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Show me all markers in:  Madison, WI  |  Dane County  |  53711  |  Wisconsin  |  United States of America

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Welcome to the Edgewood Park and Pleasure Drive
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