Building A Historic District, part 2

The Joannes Mansion

In this episode of Plaster + Patina, we explore the historic Mitchell Joannes House:  a late 1800s home tied to one of Green Bay’s most influential business families. Mitchell Joannes, born near Brussels, Belgium, became president of the Joannes Brothers Company, a wholesale grocery business that helped shape commerce across Wisconsin and northern Michigan and later evolved into what became part of Super Valu’s Green Bay division. Joined by the current owner Al we discuss the craftsmanship of the house, what it takes to preserve a historic home, and the reality of living inside a piece of local history. This episode looks at what it means to pass a home like this on and why preserving places like it still matters.

The Neville Legacy

The Neville Legacy: Power, Preservation, and a Story That Shaped Green Bay In this episode of Plaster + Patina, we explore the Arthur C. Neville House and the lasting legacy of Arthur and Ella Neville: two figures whose impact on Green Bay extends far beyond their home. Host Al is joined by co-host Skip and Karen from the Green Bay Art Colony to uncover the story behind the Nevilles’ role in civic leadership, historical preservation, and the founding of what would become the Neville Public Museum. This conversation goes beyond architecture, diving into the power of community, the importance of art and storytelling, and what it means to preserve history for future generations. At its core, this episode is about how one family’s vision helped shape the identity of Green Bay and why that legacy still matters today.

A Valentine's Story

This week, Plaster + Patina flips the script. Host Al steps into the guest seat to share the story of his own home and the remarkable coincidences and love stories tied to it. From a shared last name across past and present residents, to love in the time of war, handwritten letters from decades past, and a binder filled with treasured keepsakes, this Valentine’s episode takes listeners on location to 403 and 405 Lawe Street. Guest host Maddy interviews Al about falling in love with a home, honoring the lives that shaped it, and what it means to cherish a place rooted in community and connection.

Building A Historic District, part 2

How Astor Neighborhood Historic District came to be, the second part of a two part interview with founding director Jim Gucwa.

Building a Historic District

In our season finale of Plaster + Patina, host Al sits down with longtime neighborhood steward Jim Gucwa, whose family has called the Astor area home for six decades. Together they explore the heart of what makes a place worth saving, from river memories and landmark stories like the community’s reflections on the Edmund Fitzgerald, to the everyday details that make Astor unique. Jim shares how he and others worked with neighbors, the city, and the Brown County Library to gather the layers of neighborhood memory and turn them into a living record. They dig into how the Astor Historic District came to be, why preserving shared histories matters for future generations, and what it takes to protect architecture, stories, and community identity. Tune in as we reflect on the power of place and what it means to build a historic district in the Season 1 finale of Plaster + Patina.