In 1874, Henry Cook Mumbrue, a native of New York, had his house built in the most prestigious neighborhood of Waupaca. Mumbrue sought his fortune in the retail businesses of Waupaca. He was also a local politician and became Waupaca's postmaster in 1893. The house is most associated with the Penney family. Adelbert M. Penney, also a native of New York, purchased the home in 1890. He was considered the "potato king" because he helped Waupaca become a national potato trading center. Penney was also postmaster in 1897 and 1914.
The Mumbrue-Penney house was built in the Second Empire style. This style is based on French architecture of Napoleon's Empire. The most distinctive element of Second Empire is the steeply sloping mansard roof. Highly ornamented projecting dormers and an entry pavilion are also typical. The roof overhang is decorated with a wide paneled frieze and large scroll brackets. The full length front porch and side bays reflect the Italianate ornamentation typically seen on Second Empire houses with features such as narrow posts, pilasters and brackets. A round-arched tripartite window grouping is positioned above the porch.
The house is entered through a double door flanked by narrow sidelights and an etched glass transom above. The interior is accentuated with wide molded baseboards and crown molding, fluted casings, and pyramidal corner blocks. Foliated raised plaster medallions decorate the ceilings of the two parlors. A unique element of the house is the use of cast-iron radiators dated back to the 1880s. The distinct details of the house give it an added elegance and an appearance of a country estate.
The house is a private residence; please respect the privacy rights of the owners.