 Mrs. Kohler intended the restoration as a memorial to her husband's sister, Marie Christine Kohler, who had become interested it the Wade house before her death in 1943.Ruth Kohler died on March 7, 1953 at the age of 46 and was not able to witness the turning over of the house to the state three months later.The historic building was deeded to the State Historical Society of Wisconsin (now Wisconsin Historical Society) in 1953 in a ceremony that featured poet and Lincoln biographer Carl Sandburg.