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.

This episode takes us to a single home in Green Bay — 840 South Madison Street — and unravels how its walls reflect more than a century of community life. We begin in the 1890s, when the house was a gathering spot for society receptions and trace its transformation through maps, architecture, and the social customs of the day.

By the 1940s, the Minahan family brought new life to the property and a backyard pool. We’ll explore how postwar leisure shifted from the front porch to the backyard, reshaping how families connected.

From Victorian parlors to splash parties and gator sightings, to modern preservation within the Astor Historic District, this house tells the story of Green Bay itself — evolving with each era, yet always holding its place in the community.

In this special Halloween edition of Plaster + Patina, we lean into Green Bay’s spookier side. We sit down with Heather, founder of Windigo Paranormal, to talk about Haunted Astor. From the waters that shape our city’s energy, to first-hand stories from Hazlewood, one of Astor's Historic Neighborhood Landmarks, we take a deeper dive into some relished and little known stories.

Of course, no Halloween episode would be complete without some personal ghost stories — from doorbells that ring on their own to spectral figures in old houses. Join us for an episode that blends history, folklore, and a touch of the supernatural, all while celebrating the ways our city’s past still lingers in its walls.

Who new Green Bay once aspired to be a natural spring tourist mecca? Or that Monroe Street residents complained about speeders-before there were cars? We dig deep to bring you the little known fabulous story of Salvatore Springs.

Step inside 409 Lawe Street, a home built in 1911 and rich with local legacy. In this episode, we’re joined by author Lynda Drews whose nonfiction book The Maid and the Socialite features a real-life woman for whom this house was built. Together, we explore the personal histories, architecture, and deep community connections that make this home a living piece of Green Bay’s past. From historic truths to hidden stories, this episode brings the past vividly into the present.

In this episode of Plaster + Patina, Al and Skip take listeners to the Italianate home of 702 S. Monroe, a house built by dreams, marked by tragedy, and steeped in Green Bay history.
Al and Skip explore a local tragedy, connections to city founders, Green Bay’s brewing legacy and even the Packers.
Plus, a behind the scenes look at what it’s like researching local lore, parsing fact from fiction, and why history is always a living and breathing story.
**Listener discretion advised.

In this episode of Plaster + Patina, we sit down with Pat Reed, longtime resident and proud owner of one of the most iconic homes in the neighborhood. Pat takes us on a journey through time, sharing the rich history of his Victorian home, how the neighborhood has evolved over the decades, and what it means to be a steward of a historic property for over 50 years. From architectural details to community connections, this conversation offers a heartfelt glimpse into a life well-lived within the walls of a truly timeless home.

In this episode, we take a closer look at 402 Lawe Street—a home with roots reaching back to the 1800s. Moved from its original location and adapted over time, the house reflects the evolving story of the neighborhood around it. We’ll explore its history, and what the house tells us about how communities shift, preserve, and repurpose the past.

In this episode, we take a closer look at 402 Lawe Street—a home with roots reaching back to the 1800s. Moved from its original location and adapted over time, the house reflects the evolving story of the neighborhood around it. We’ll explore its history, and what the house tells us about how communities shift, preserve, and repurpose the past.

Discover the rich history of Astor, one of Green Bay’s oldest neighborhoods. In this debut episode of Plaster + Patina, we explore the stories behind its charming architecture, the influential figures who shaped its growth, and what makes this historic district a local treasure.