In the small town of Kewaskum in Washington County, there is a new business making waves. Foundry 45 is a unique, versatile wedding and event venue that aims to be a space for all to gather.
The Foundry 45 building has a deep history dating back over 60 years. In 1958, a local couple, Steve and Mary Rahn opened it as a minor bar. In 1967, their daughter Jeanie and her husband Al Amerling joined Steve and Mary in the bar. In 1973, they expanded the bar by adding on the hall and at this time changed the name from “Steve and Mary’s Minor Bar” to the “Amerhan”. For years it was the “go-to” place to host a wedding reception or a large gathering. There may not be a local family around that hasn’t attended an event or sat at the bar over the years. In 1981, Earl and Marie Kleinke bought the Amerahn and brought their son, Brian on board in 2010. Earl passed away in 2011 and Marie and Brian continued to operate the Amerahn until the partners of 7 Bridges Road bought it in March of 2021.
On day one of the purchase work began gutting the building. The seven partners of 7 Bridges Road each had their own specialty to aid in the design and remodeling process; a plumber, carpenter, fabricator, designer, audio visual technician, restaurant ingenue, and a jack-of-all trades came together to start a new era of history and give this building, where people have been celebrating for generations, a fresh start.
After 14 months of hard work, Foundry 45 opened to the public in May of 2022 with a summer full of live music, weddings, baby and bridal showers, and corporate meetings.
Foundry 45 perfectly encapsulates the vision of the seven founders. The building is incredibly versatile, from the wedding suites and conference spaces in the upper level, to the hall complete with a state-of-the-art sound system, the entire venue space is warm and inviting, but also brings an industrial flair. The Main Hall, where weddings, bands and large events are held features a 53-foot live edge wood bar. Foundry 45 makes your average venue bar a work of art with a story, as it’s made from trees that were cut down from the property to expand the parking lot and beautiful backyard patio space, bringing the history back into the building. There are additional live edge wood tables throughout the space, combining the modern industrial feel with a relaxing comfortable atmosphere. Wood from the property was also used in the hall lounge area, a space where people can relax on gorgeous leather couches around an indoor fireplace, creating a spectacular wood feature wall. There are various industrial elements throughout the space, from the drill press in the conference areas upstairs, to the gear metal artwork in Bar 45, and the warehouse windows from a factory in Iowa repurposed inside the hall.
Foundry 45 is not just your average wedding and event venue. The owner’s goal was to make a place for people to have fun, coming to Foundry 45 as strangers, but leaving as friends. The space has just as many public events as private and has live music almost every weekend during the summer. Guests take “Sunday Funday” seriously at Foundry 45 and pack the back patio to enjoy live outdoor music and play some sweet, handcrafted games to try if you’re feeling competitive. Outdoors, the bands perform right in front of a backdrop of trees and foliage. Bands indoors are just as unique, with the state-of-the-art sound and light system to accompany great local musicians, there is simply no better atmosphere. You can even relax outdoors around a roaring fire and still hear the music, as there are glass garage doors open to the patio during warm summer nights. It simply does not seem like you’re in Kewaskum!
Foundry 45 is excited to share their space, and we will welcome you with open arms and a cold beverage.
