History of Yahara House
Yahara House became a Clubhouse in 1986, existing at 148 E. Johnson in Madison for the first eight years of its life. This was a small, box-like building built in the 1950s, and it wasn't adequate as a recovery space. In 1994, Journey, Yahara's parent company, acquired our current building, a historic mansion built by an eventual mayor of Madison, which Yahara moved into later that year. The building, which has three floors and a basement, is separate from any auspice agency and was renovated to create a new vision and future for our community.
Overlooking Lake Mendota, Yahara House sits in a residential neighborhood on a wide gracious lawn, where we have a flower garden, a vegetable garden, and a compost bin. There are 8,700 square-feet of usable indoor space renovated to meet each department's needs. Each department occupies one floor, with the basement used for a meeting room and a wellness center.
Painting by Yahara House member Mary
The Adolph H. Kayser House
The Kayser House was built in 1902 by Claude and Starck, a local architectural firm that would later become one of the foremost practitioners of Prairie Style. Our building is a distinctive blend of classical details, stained glass, oak paneling, and massive windows that draw natural light into every room. Between 1914-16, when Mr. Kayser was Mayor of Madison, this house was a hub of political and social life. It later served as the office for a church association, followed by a law firm. In fall 1980, our building was both designated a Madison Landmark by the city and added to the National Registry of Historic Places. In 1989, it was also added to the Wisconsin State Registry of Historic Places. We use great care to preserve this architectural gem for future generations to enjoy, and we still get regular visitors intrigued by the building itself.
