Faience Tiles at Washington High School in Milwaukee

There are many architectural wonders and artistic treasures found at Washington High, a public school built as a civic monument on Milwaukee’s west side. Since 1915, it has been a tradition at Washington High for the seniors to leave a class gift behind that has added to the beautification of the school. These gifts have included bronze plaques, portraits, chandeliers, mural paintings, stained glass windows, and much else, including faience art tiles that tile artist and historian Ben Tyjeski digs deeper into this book, accompanied by a foreword written by Washington High alumnus and historian Linda Durrenberg. Tyjeski unveils the manufacturers who made these tiles, including Rookwood Pottery Co. from Cincinnati and the local Continental Faience & Tile Co. from South Milwaukee, as well as their techniques, inspiration, and provides generous documentation of the tiles with colored photographs.