Preserve a Stoughton Icon: Donate to Kristen and Colin

Hi all,

My name is Kristen, and my fiancé’s name is Colin. Some of you may know me, some of you may not. I'm a Wisconsin transplant from Michigan, and my fiancé and I have a big ask - help us buy an inn.

The Naeset-Roe Bed and Breakfast was built in 1875, and has operated as a bed and breakfast for a looooong time. It's a Stoughton icon, and it's currently for sale. We would love to buy it and keep it running as a bed and breakfast (plus bonus community space). We have big plans for the house, but it's a little out of our price range. We're asking for donations to go towards the down payment on a loan for this house. If you want to see what we have in mind for the house, swipe through the photo album and read our business plan. We believe every community deserves a place like this, somewhere special to hang out, have a romantic stay-cation, and embrace the local culture.

Please help us make our dreams come true and keep a classic Stoughton business and Landmark in the National Historic Register of Places in the community, for the community. We need at least $60,000 for the down payment. If 6,000 people donate $10 each, we can meet our goal and buy this inn.

About me: I was an Army brat growing up, and moved around the country with my dad until he retired. When my parents divorced, I lived with my mom until her suicide when I was 19. Despite the fallout from my parents divorce, abuse from my mom's new alcoholic partner, and dealing with my mother's suicide, I was able to graduate from U of M with a bachelor's in Biology, eager to use my degree for conservation work to better the world around me. Throughout everything, I love to volunteer at churches, running VBS at my childhood church and helping out with a youth group in Flint. Community means everything to me, and I love to give where I can. I currently work for the USDA, helping farmers stand strong and grow their legacies.

About Colin: Colin is a very independent man who has faced struggles and blessings in his life. Due to circumstances out of his control he has had to work very hard his entire life. Strong willed and independent from the begining with a paper route when he was 6 years old. He ran an inner tube stand himself at a campground by 10. By highschool he was working every night in a restaurant. His love for the natural world blossomed as he went on to pursue schooling and eventually landed jobs in the National Parks, Yellowstone and Teton. Through those channels he went on to work for the Army in Germany for two years. The travel experience and hospitality industry captivated his attention. He returned to Wisconsin and got a job as an Arborist with the University of Wisconsin where he is also in the process of taking over his Uncles business simultaneously. With his life experience and love of community this would be a dream come true for him.

: Photo taken from TripAdvisor.