Historic Novitiate Mansion in Wisconsin May Become Hotel and Event Center

The vacant property in Shawano County has sat empty for years, but a new owner plans to restore and repurpose the historic home.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The Shawano County Board of Supervisors has approved a zoning change that will allow the current owner of the historic Novitiate mansion in the town of Herman to convert the vacant property into a hotel and event center. The mansion, which was built in 1939 and later used as a training center by the Alexian Brothers religious order, has sat empty for years. The new owner plans to restore the 4-story home and add amenities like a theater, recreation room, dining room, and 13 guest rooms, as well as a pavilion on the surrounding land overlooking the river.

Why it matters

The Novitiate mansion has a long and storied history in Shawano County, including a 1975 standoff involving the Menominee Warrior Society. Repurposing the vacant property into a hotel and event center will help preserve the historic building and bring new economic activity to the area.

The details

The Shawano County Board of Supervisors approved a zoning change that will allow the current owner, Ethan Fernhaber, to convert the vacant Novitiate mansion into a hotel and event center. The 4-story home will undergo extensive interior renovations, including a theater and recreation room in the basement, a dining room and kitchen on the entry level, and 13 guest rooms on the top two floors. The surrounding land will also feature a pavilion for events with a view of the nearby river.

  • The Novitiate mansion was built in 1939.
  • The Alexian Brothers religious order later used the property as a training center.
  • In 1975, the Menominee Warrior Society took over the property for more than a month.
  • The property was purchased by the current owner in 2021.
  • Construction is expected to begin this fall and the hotel/event center could open in 2027.

The players

Ethan Fernhaber

The current owner of the Novitiate mansion property.

David Gilman

The zoning consultant for the Novitiate property and a representative of the owner.

Rick Giese

A Shawano County Board member who is excited about the project.

Russell Means

A member of the American Indian Movement who commented on the 1975 standoff at the Novitiate.

Menominee Warrior Society

The group that took over the Novitiate property for more than a month in 1975 to prove sovereignty over the land.

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What they’re saying

“This property and the mansion, it's going to be preserved. The land is going to be used in a very respectful manner.”

— David Gilman, Zoning consultant and representative of the property owner (wncy.com)

“We are attempting to force the white man to recognize his own racism. It's been latent. All this action has done is brought out the extreme racism that exists in this part of Wisconsin.”

— Russell Means, Member of the American Indian Movement (wncy.com)

“Out there at the Novitiate, it will be a great opportunity. Like I said, because it's finally going to get developed. It's been great to have been putting some time and effort into it, and then building, it's up and being part of the community now.”

— Rick Giese, Shawano County Board member (wncy.com)

What’s next

Construction is expected to begin this fall, with the goal of opening the hotel and event center sometime in 2027.

The takeaway

The redevelopment of the historic Novitiate mansion in Shawano County represents an opportunity to preserve an important piece of local history while also bringing new economic activity to the area. The project highlights the potential for repurposing vacant historic properties in a way that respects their past while embracing a new future.