John Mann came to Madison from New York via Michigan in the late 1840's. By 1850 he was running a successful livery stable in Madison. In 1855 he moved out to Fitchburg and built the mansion and stable. He traded timber from his property for stones from the neighboring quarry. In 1876 he sold the property to J.C. Latham. In 1881 Latham sold to J.R. Comstock. In 1935 Comstock sold to Hal Huddlestone. In 1948 Huddlestone sold to William Waskow who lived here (raising dogs in an attached kennel and horses in the stable) until the spring of 1979.

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At the same time the Mann estate was built, the first and most successful inn in the Fitchburg area was thriving -- Quivey's Grove. The concurrent development coupled with our own grove of black walnut trees, maples, and elms account for the name Quivey's Grove.

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Joe Garton, a great cook, lover of historic places, and budding restauranteur first saw the John Mann house in 1979. He immediately envisioned the old buildings could serve as a new kind of restaurant, featuring all the goodness of Wisconsin. It opened on May 23, 1980.

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Fourty-four years later, the setting still takes you back in time with American traditional antiques from the period, gardens to wander and buildings from the 19th century to admire and explore. The service is gracious and welcoming because the experience is about you. With your patronage, Quivey's Grove will continue to stand for authentic quality for years to come.