Old World Wisconsin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Old World Wisconsin
IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
Koepsel House at Old World Wisconsin
Old World Wisconsin Location in Wisconsin Show map of Wisconsin Old World Wisconsin Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Eagle, Wisconsin, United States
Area	480 acres (190 ha)
Established	1976
Governing body	Wisconsin Historical Society

Old World Wisconsin is a super cool open-air museum located near Eagle, in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States. It's like stepping back in time! The museum shows you what homes and daily life were like for settlers in Wisconsin during the 1800s.

You'll find different areas that show the traditions of various groups of people who moved to the state. People dressed in old-fashioned clothes act out the jobs and chores of typical settlers from that time. It's a fun way to learn about history!

What is Old World Wisconsin?

This amazing museum opened in 1976. The Wisconsin Historical Society owns and runs it. It's the biggest outdoor museum in the United States that focuses on rural life.

The museum covers about 480 acres of rolling hills and woods. It's right next to the Kettle Moraine State Forest South Unit. You can explore more than 60 historic buildings here. These include old farmhouses with furniture and barns, plus a village from the 1880s with shops and other town buildings.

What can you do there?

At Old World Wisconsin, you can visit the Ramsey barn, which has a gift shop. The Brewhouse shows how people used to brew drinks and even offers samples. The Creamery is a great spot for lunch, snacks, and frozen custard. There's also a large event space in the round Clausing Barn. Trams can take you between different areas, like the Scandinavian farms and the Crossroads Village.

How Old World Wisconsin Started

Old World Wisconsin exists thanks to people who wanted to save old buildings. A German immigrant named Hans Kuether and an architect named Richard W. E. Perrin were very important. Perrin loved saving historic buildings. He even made a list of 76 buildings in Wisconsin that he thought should be protected.

The Idea for the Museum

Perrin first thought of creating an outdoor museum in 1964. He called it a "Pioneer Park." He got the idea after visiting outdoor museums in Europe, like Skansen in Sweden, back in 1953. He used Skansen as his model for the Wisconsin park.

The real work to create the museum began in 1966. The University of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Historical Society worked together. They made plans for an outdoor museum. In 1968, a big report was made, and the project was named Old World Wisconsin.

Moving Buildings and Opening Day

It took a lot of effort to get the museum ready. In 1971, the state decided to give about 560 acres of land from the Kettle Moraine State Forest to the Historical Society for the museum.

Old buildings from all over Wisconsin were carefully taken apart and moved to the museum site. This was a huge job! The park was officially opened on June 30, 1976. This was just in time for the United States Bicentennial celebration, which was America's 200th birthday!

Tornado Damage

On June 21, 2010, a tornado hit the museum. It knocked down many trees on the grounds. Because of the big cleanup needed, a special "Old World 4th of July" event had to be canceled that year.

Exploring the Villages

Live Interpreter with oxen

The museum is divided into different areas, or "villages." Each village shows what life was like for different groups of immigrants who settled in Wisconsin.

• African American Village: Here you can see the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery Chapel, the Shepard Family Cemetery, and the United Brethren Church.
• Danish American Village: Visit the Pedersen Farm to see how Danish settlers lived.
• Finnish American Village: Explore the Rankinen Farm and Ketola Farm.
• German American Village: Check out the Koepsel Farm, Schottler Farm, and Schulz Farm. The Koepsel House and Christian Turck House (also known as Schottler Farm) are very old and important buildings.
• Norwegian American Village: Discover the Fossebrekke Farm, Kvaale Farm, and Raspberry School.
• Polish American Village: See the Kruza House.
• Yankee/1880s Village: This area shows a typical crossroads village from the 1880s. You can find the Harmony Town Hall, Four Mile Inn, Sisel Shoe Shop, Benson House, Grotelueschen Blacksmith Shop, Peterson Wagon Shop, Thomas General Store, Mary Hafford House, and St. Peter's Church. There's even a new exhibit called "Catch Wheel Fever" added in 2014!

Different Cultures in the Yankee Village

The Yankee Village also includes buildings from other European settlers. This shows how different cultures came together in Wisconsin in the 1800s:

• The Sisel shoe shop was owned by a Czech family.
• The Grotelueschen Blacksmith Shop was run by a German family.
• The Peterson Wagon Shop was owned by a Scandinavian family.

Buildings at Old World Wisconsin

Many of the buildings at Old World Wisconsin were moved from other places across Wisconsin. Three of these buildings are so important that they are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Structure name	Village	location	Image	Built	Notes
Bicycle Shop	The Green	42°52′15″N 88°29′22″W / 42.870732°N 88.489350°W / 42.870732; -88.489350 (Bicycle Shop)
Caldwell Hall Education Center	The Green	42°52′14″N 88°29′22″W / 42.870523°N 88.489429°W / 42.870523; -88.489429 (Caldwell Hall)
Clausing Barn/Gift Shop	The Green	42°52′21″N 88°29′27″W / 42.872608°N 88.490737°W / 42.872608; -88.490737 (Clausing Barn)
Pergola	The Green	42°52′19″N 88°29′26″W / 42.871920°N 88.490589°W / 42.871920; -88.490589 (Pergola)		2016
Ramsey Barn	The Green	42°52′17″N 88°29′27″W / 42.871382°N 88.490823°W / 42.871382; -88.490823 (Ramsey Barn)
Shelter	The Green	42°52′18″N 88°29′26″W / 42.871668°N 88.490589°W / 42.871668; -88.490589 (Shelter)
Guest Services/Family History Center	The Green	42°52′19″N 88°29′26″W / 42.872080°N 88.490572°W / 42.872080; -88.490572 (Guest Services)
United Brethren Church	African-American	42°52′02″N 88°29′49″W / 42.867242°N 88.496876°W / 42.867242; -88.496876 (United Brethren Church)
Pleasant Ridge Chapel	African-American	42°52′03″N 88°29′43″W / 42.867566°N 88.495333°W / 42.867566; -88.495333 (Pleasant Ridge Chapel)
Pleasant Ridge Cemetery	African-American	42°52′03″N 88°29′48″W / 42.867548°N 88.496626°W / 42.867548; -88.496626 (Pleasant Ridge Cemetery)
Shepard Family Cemetery	African-American	42°52′04″N 88°29′43″W / 42.867677°N 88.495414°W / 42.867677; -88.495414 (Shepard Family Cemetery)
Pedersen House	Danish	42°51′43″N 88°29′24″W / 42.861953°N 88.490058°W / 42.861953; -88.490058 (Pederson House)		1872	Moved from Polk County
Pedersen Barn	Danish	42°51′43″N 88°29′26″W / 42.861824°N 88.490488°W / 42.861824; -88.490488 (Pederson Barn)		early 1870s	Moved from Polk County
Ketola Barn	Finnish	42°51′56″N 88°29′29″W / 42.865568°N 88.491266°W / 42.865568; -88.491266 (Ketola Barn)			Moved from Oulu, Bayfield County
Ketola House	Finnish	42°51′55″N 88°29′30″W / 42.865278°N 88.491531°W / 42.865278; -88.491531 (Ketola House)			Log house moved from Oulu, Bayfield County
Lantta Hay Barn (Ketola Farm)	Finnish	42°51′53″N 88°29′29″W / 42.864850°N 88.491474°W / 42.864850; -88.491474 (Lantta Hay Barn)
Ronkainen Sauna (Ketola Farm)	Finnish	42°51′54″N 88°29′28″W / 42.865137°N 88.491223°W / 42.865137; -88.491223 (Ronkainen Sauna)
Kortesmaa Granary (Ketola Farm)	Finnish	42°51′55″N 88°29′28″W / 42.865292°N 88.491181°W / 42.865292; -88.491181 (Kortesmaa Granary)
Makela Stable (Ketola Farm)	Finnish	42°51′56″N 88°29′28″W / 42.865456°N 88.491179°W / 42.865456; -88.491179 (Makela Stable)
Rankinen Outhouse (Ketola Farm)	Finnish	42°51′56″N 88°29′28″W / 42.865536°N 88.491135°W / 42.865536; -88.491135 (Rankinen Outhouse)
Rankinen House	Finnish	42°51′57″N 88°29′24″W / 42.865910°N 88.490011°W / 42.865910; -88.490011 (Rankinen House)
Rankinen Barn	Finnish	42°51′56″N 88°29′25″W / 42.865651°N 88.490219°W / 42.865651; -88.490219 (Rankinen Barn)
Kortesmaa Outhouse (Rankinen Farm)	Finnish	42°51′56″N 88°29′25″W / 42.865583°N 88.490195°W / 42.865583; -88.490195 (Kortesmaa Outhouse)
Koepsel House	German	42°51′59″N 88°29′51″W / 42.866347°N 88.497387°W / 42.866347; -88.497387 (Koepsel House)		1860	Listed on the NRHP in 1973
Barn (Koepsel Farm)	German	42°51′58″N 88°29′52″W / 42.866163°N 88.497776°W / 42.866163; -88.497776 (Koepsel Barn)
Brewing Shed (Koepsel Farm)	German	42°52′01″N 88°29′55″W / 42.866807°N 88.498581°W / 42.866807; -88.498581 (Koepsel Brewing Shed)
Outhouse (Koepsel Farm)	German	42°51′58″N 88°29′51″W / 42.866094°N 88.497472°W / 42.866094; -88.497472 (Koepsel Outhouse)
Stable (Koepsel Farm)	German	42°51′59″N 88°29′53″W / 42.866345°N 88.497924°W / 42.866345; -88.497924 (Koepsel Stable)		1850	Moved from town of Emmet, Dodge County
Hog pen (Koepsel Farm)	German	42°52′00″N 88°29′51″W / 42.866631°N 88.497474°W / 42.866631; -88.497474 (Koepsel Pen)
Wood Shop (Koepsel Farm)	German	42°51′59″N 88°29′52″W / 42.866472°N 88.497788°W / 42.866472; -88.497788 (Koepsel Wood shop)
Schultz House	German	42°51′54″N 88°29′52″W / 42.864978°N 88.497693°W / 42.864978; -88.497693 (Schultz House)
Schultz Barn	German	42°51′56″N 88°29′52″W / 42.865447°N 88.497717°W / 42.865447; -88.497717 (Schultz Barn)
Schultz Stable	German	42°51′55″N 88°29′52″W / 42.865244°N 88.497901°W / 42.865244; -88.497901 (Schultz Stable)
Schottler House	German	42°51′56″N 88°29′57″W / 42.865566°N 88.499292°W / 42.865566; -88.499292 (Schottler House)		1846	Log house moved from Washington County. Listed on the NRHP in 1973 as Christian Turck House.
Held Barn (Schottler farm)	German	42°51′56″N 88°29′58″W / 42.865435°N 88.499535°W / 42.865435; -88.499535 (Held Barn)
Jung Barn (Schottler farm)	German	42°51′55″N 88°29′58″W / 42.865289°N 88.499378°W / 42.865289; -88.499378 (Jung Barn)
Fassbender Granary (Schottler farm)	German	42°51′55″N 88°29′57″W / 42.865295°N 88.499144°W / 42.865295; -88.499144 (Fassbender Granary)
Kessel Bakehouse (Schottler farm)	German	42°51′56″N 88°29′57″W / 42.865421°N 88.499217°W / 42.865421; -88.499217 (Kessel Bakehouse)
Jung Smokehouse (Schottler farm)	German	42°51′56″N 88°29′57″W / 42.865516°N 88.499087°W / 42.865516; -88.499087 (Jung Smokehouse)
Abandoned House	Norwegian	42°51′32″N 88°29′26″W / 42.858767°N 88.490477°W / 42.858767; -88.490477 (Abandoned House)
Abandoned Barn	Norwegian	42°51′31″N 88°29′27″W / 42.858536°N 88.490749°W / 42.858536; -88.490749 (Abandoned Barn)
Kvaale House	Norwegian	42°51′32″N 88°29′38″W / 42.858800°N 88.493865°W / 42.858800; -88.493865 (Kvaale House)
Dahlen Corncrib (Kvaale Farm)	Norwegian	42°51′32″N 88°29′39″W / 42.858938°N 88.494161°W / 42.858938; -88.494161 (Dahlen Corncrib)
Sorbergshagen Barn (Kvaale Farm)	Norwegian	42°51′32″N 88°29′40″W / 42.858925°N 88.494453°W / 42.858925; -88.494453 (Sorbergshagen Barn)
Lisbakken Granery (Kvaale Farm)	Norwegian	42°51′31″N 88°29′40″W / 42.858707°N 88.494485°W / 42.858707; -88.494485 (Lisbakken Granery)
Bosboen Barn (Kvaale Farm)	Norwegian	42°51′31″N 88°29′39″W / 42.858528°N 88.494209°W / 42.858528; -88.494209 (Bosboen Barn)
Otteson Outhouse (Kvaale Farm)	Norwegian	42°51′31″N 88°29′38″W / 42.858627°N 88.493951°W / 42.858627; -88.493951 (Otteson Outhouse)
Veggli House (Kvaale Farm)	Norwegian	42°51′31″N 88°29′38″W / 42.858607°N 88.493803°W / 42.858607; -88.493803 (Veggli House)
Fossebrekke House	Norwegian	42°51′34″N 88°29′37″W / 42.859347°N 88.493674°W / 42.859347; -88.493674 (Fossebrekke House)		1845	This is the oldest building on the site!
Raspberry Schoolhouse	Norwegian	42°51′33″N 88°29′33″W / 42.859044°N 88.492403°W / 42.859044; -88.492403 (Raspberry Schoolhouse)
Ward District Schoolhouse No. 3	Norwegian	42°51′27″N 88°29′37″W / 42.857570°N 88.493729°W / 42.857570; -88.493729 (Ward District Schoolhouse No. 3)		1849	Listed on the NRHP in 1981.
Kruza House	Polish	42°51′52″N 88°29′57″W / 42.864375°N 88.499057°W / 42.864375; -88.499057 (Kruza House)
Kaczorowski Outhouse	Polish	42°51′51″N 88°29′56″W / 42.864283°N 88.498937°W / 42.864283; -88.498937 (Kaczorowski Outhouse)
Roadside Cross	Polish	42°51′53″N 88°29′56″W / 42.864729°N 88.498945°W / 42.864729; -88.498945 (Roadside Cross)
Benson House	Yankee/1880s Village	42°52′06″N 88°29′30″W / 42.868348°N 88.491758°W / 42.868348; -88.491758 (Benson House)
Benson Barn	Yankee/1880s Village	42°52′06″N 88°29′32″W / 42.868393°N 88.492228°W / 42.868393; -88.492228 (Benson Barn)
Benson Gezebo	Yankee/1880s Village	42°52′06″N 88°29′31″W / 42.868322°N 88.492029°W / 42.868322; -88.492029 (Benson Gezebo)
Blacksmith Shop	Yankee/1880s Village	42°52′07″N 88°29′30″W / 42.868508°N 88.491727°W / 42.868508; -88.491727 (Blacksmith Shop)
Hafford House	Yankee/1880s Village	42°52′09″N 88°29′32″W / 42.869225°N 88.492237°W / 42.869225; -88.492237 (Hafford House)
Four Mile House	Yankee/1880s Village	42°52′05″N 88°29′30″W / 42.867983°N 88.491581°W / 42.867983; -88.491581 (Four Mile House)
Harmony Town Hall	Yankee/1880s Village	42°52′03″N 88°29′22″W / 42.867524°N 88.489458°W / 42.867524; -88.489458 (Harmony Town Hall)		1876	Originally built in Town of Harmony in Rock County.
Peterson Wagon Shop	Yankee/1880s Village	42°52′07″N 88°29′30″W / 42.868664°N 88.491753°W / 42.868664; -88.491753 (Peterson Wagon Shop)
Sisel Shoe Shop	Yankee/1880s Village	42°52′05″N 88°29′31″W / 42.868014°N 88.492082°W / 42.868014; -88.492082 (Sisel Shoe Shop)
Sisel Barn	Yankee/1880s Village	42°52′04″N 88°29′32″W / 42.867676°N 88.492207°W / 42.867676; -88.492207 (Sisel Barn)
Stage	Yankee/1880s Village	42°52′07″N 88°29′29″W / 42.868508°N 88.491284°W / 42.868508; -88.491284 (Stage)
Thomas General Store	Yankee/1880s Village	42°52′07″N 88°29′29″W / 42.868677°N 88.491337°W / 42.868677; -88.491337 (Thomas General Store)		1876	Moved from Waukesha County.
Barn (Thomas Store)	Yankee/1880s Village	42°52′08″N 88°29′28″W / 42.868886°N 88.491025°W / 42.868886; -88.491025 (Thomas Barn)
Outhouse (Thomas Store)	Yankee/1880s Village	42°52′07″N 88°29′28″W / 42.868714°N 88.49102°W / 42.868714; -88.49102 (Thomas Outhouse)
Loomer Barn	Yankee/1880s Village	42°52′05″N 88°29′25″W / 42.867991°N 88.490297°W / 42.867991; -88.490297 (Loomer Barn)		1858	This barn shows how farmers used to thresh (separate grain) wheat.
Sanford House	Yankee/1880s Village	42°52′06″N 88°29′25″W / 42.868430°N 88.490265°W / 42.868430; -88.490265 (Sanford House)
St. Peter's Church	Yankee/1880s Village	42°52′11″N 88°29′30″W / 42.869695°N 88.491801°W / 42.869695; -88.491801 (St. Peter's Church)		1838	Moved from St. Francis.
Administrative offices	Service/Admin/Misc	42°51′45″N 88°30′05″W / 42.862546°N 88.501355°W / 42.862546; -88.501355 (Administrative offices)
Concession Stand	Service/Admin/Misc	42°51′28″N 88°29′33″W / 42.857723°N 88.492629°W / 42.857723; -88.492629 (Concession Stand)
Entrance Sign (North 1 of 2)	Service/Admin/Misc	42°51′51″N 88°29′16″W / 42.864104°N 88.487687°W / 42.864104; -88.487687 (Entrance Sign)
Entrance Sign (South 2 of 2)	Service/Admin/Misc	42°51′50″N 88°29′16″W / 42.863824°N 88.487754°W / 42.863824; -88.487754 (Entrance Sign)
Farmhouse	Service/Admin/Misc	42°51′28″N 88°30′00″W / 42.857907°N 88.499971°W / 42.857907; -88.499971 (Farmhouse)
Farmhouse barn	Service/Admin/Misc	42°51′28″N 88°30′03″W / 42.857759°N 88.500708°W / 42.857759; -88.500708 (Farmhouse barn)
Farmhouse garage	Service/Admin/Misc	42°51′29″N 88°30′00″W / 42.858009°N 88.500124°W / 42.858009; -88.500124 (Farmhouse garage)
Farmhouse shed	Service/Admin/Misc	42°51′29″N 88°30′02″W / 42.857920°N 88.500573°W / 42.857920; -88.500573 (Farmhouse shed)
Farmhouse wellhouse	Service/Admin/Misc	42°51′28″N 88°30′02″W / 42.857823°N 88.500460°W / 42.857823; -88.500460 (Farmhouse wellhouse)
Greenhouse	Service/Admin/Misc	42°51′29″N 88°30′00″W / 42.858095°N 88.499865°W / 42.858095; -88.499865 (Greenhouse)
Machinery building	Service/Admin/Misc	42°51′30″N 88°30′00″W / 42.858327°N 88.499957°W / 42.858327; -88.499957 (Machinery building)
Maintenance building	Service/Admin/Misc	42°51′33″N 88°30′07″W / 42.859052°N 88.501964°W / 42.859052; -88.501964 (Maintenance building)
Maintenance shed	Service/Admin/Misc	42°51′31″N 88°30′07″W / 42.858658°N 88.501923°W / 42.858658; -88.501923 (Maintenance shed)
Maintenance shed	Service/Admin/Misc	42°51′33″N 88°30′08″W / 42.859065°N 88.502321°W / 42.859065; -88.502321 (Maintenance shed)
Picnic Shelter	Service/Admin/Misc	42°51′28″N 88°29′35″W / 42.857824°N 88.493041°W / 42.857824; -88.493041 (Picnic Schelter)
Public Restrooms (German Area)	Service/Admin/Misc	42°52′01″N 88°29′55″W / 42.866813°N 88.498577°W / 42.866813; -88.498577 (Restrooms)
Public Restrooms (Norwegian Area)	Service/Admin/Misc	42°51′28″N 88°29′34″W / 42.857850°N 88.492655°W / 42.857850; -88.492655 (Restrooms)
Rustic Restrooms	Service/Admin/Misc	42°51′53″N 88°29′25″W / 42.864614°N 88.490286°W / 42.864614; -88.490286 (Restrooms)
Storage Barn	Service/Admin/Misc	42°51′33″N 88°29′56″W / 42.859129°N 88.498792°W / 42.859129; -88.498792 (Barn)
Tram stop shelter	Service/Admin/Misc	42°52′05″N 88°29′23″W / 42.867992°N 88.489835°W / 42.867992; -88.489835 (Tram stop)