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Jul 26, 2008 - Jul 27, 2008 10 am-5 pm
It's a whole lot of Laura, at this hands-on celebration drawn from the pages of Laura Ingalls Wilder's On the Banks of Plum Creek. Dress like her, try her games and chores, help do Ma's kitchen jobs or Pa's threshing. There will be a look-a-like pageant at Caldwell Hall at 3 pm, too, and for those without a costume who wish to participate, there are prairie bonnets, aprons and dresses available to purchase at the museum store.
New this year: all kinds of animal, people, and steam-powered vintage machines at work. It's the charm of Laura Days plus the excitement of our former Power Exposition event.
Here are some other highlights of the day's activities:
- Caldwell Hall Education Center — making paper stars and the 3 pm look-a-like contest.
- Crossroads Village area — horse treadmill demonstration, Loomer Field; making a button necklace, Benson House; doing laundry outdoors, Hafford House; sampling horehound candy, Thomas General Store; blacksmiting demonstrations, Grotelueschen Blacksmith Shop; shoemaking demonstrations, Sisel Shoe Shop.
- Finn-Dane area — stacking wood, Ketola Farm; inspecting a root cellar, Ketola Root Cellar; pumping and fetching water, Pedersen Farm; jumping in the haystack, Jensen Barn (Pedersen Farm).
- Norwegian area — making the bed and playing Cat's Cradle, Fossebrekke House; using a slate to tell a story and recess activities, Raspberry School; Ring-Around the Rosy — Kvaale Farm.
- German area — washing dishes, Schulz House; baking a cake, Schottler House; sewing on a quilt square, Koepsell House; working steam engine and threshing machine, Schottler Field; oxen at work, throughout the site.
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Aug 2, 2008 10 am-5 pm (game time is 1:30 pm)
Watch an old-fashioned game of Base Ball (yes, it was originally two words!) as Old World Wisconsin's 1860s vintage team, the Eagle Diamonds, faces off against their arch rivals, the Greenbush Dead Citys — the Wade House home team. Have a hotdog and root for your favorite team! The Eagle Diamonds base ball team is Old World Wisconsin's home team. Inspired by a local team organized in 1868, the Diamonds' uniforms, equipment and rules are the same as those of that time. Admission to Old World Wisconsin allows visitors to see the Diamonds' home games for free.
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Aug 16, 2008 10 am-5 pm
Join in the re-creation of an 1860s county fair, with livestock judging, music, heirloom produce and flower displays, children's games and, of course, food!
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Aug 17, 2008 Noon-5 pm (game time is 1:30 pm)
Watch an old-fashioned game of Base Ball (yes, it was originally two words!) as Old World Wisconsin's 1860s vintage team, the Eagle Diamonds, faces off against the Milwaukee Grays. Have a hotdog and root for your favorite team! The Eagle Diamonds base ball team is Old World Wisconsin's home team. Inspired by a local team organized in 1868, the Diamonds' uniforms, equipment and rules are the same as those of that time. Admission to Old World Wisconsin allows visitors to see the Diamonds' home games for free.
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Aug 30, 2008 - Aug 31, 2008 10 am-5 pm
Participate in campaign rallies and cast your vote for president! Tour the Sanford House in mourning.
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Sep 6, 2008 9 am-5 pm
A day devoted to historic plants and gardens. Enjoy presentations by three highly credentialed speakers and ride a tram to tour selected Old World Wisconsin heirloom gardens. Continental breakfast, lunch and afternoon refreshments included in this special ticket price. Reservations required.
Speakers:
- Dick Zondag, president of Jung Seed Co., one of Wisconsin's oldest seed companies. Dick will discuss the importance of heirloom seeds as well as the history of the seed industry in Wisconsin. As third-generation co-owner of the business (his grandfather started Jung Seed Co. 101 years ago, selling seeds from his parents' farmhouse), Dick's story is full of illustrations from his own family's experiences.
- Lee Somerville, horticulturist and historian. Originally from Liverpool, England, Lee's fascination with heirloom gardens and plants developed while she was working as a living history interpreter. Her lifelong love of gardening led her to the Department of Landscape Architecture at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she recently completed a master's degree. An engaging and expert speaker, Lee's subject is: "Beautifying Home Grounds: The Wisconsin State Horticultural Society Guidelines for Late 19th-Century Wisconsin Gardens."
- Shelley Ryan, Wisconsin Public Television host of The Wisconsin Gardener. Join this lighthearted and pragmatic enthusiast as she gives the real "dirt" on the garden itself. She describes herself as "an opinionated heirloom gardener" and likes plants that have a lot of uses — and plants with stories behind them. Shelley holds special appeal for all levels of gardeners because she believes that every gardener is either a beginner or can always discover new challenges.
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Sep 13, 2008 10 am-5 pm
Be our guest at an 1840s wedding celebration. Participate in the ceremony and enjoy refreshments at the old-fashioned reception. Wedding ceremonies will begin at 11 am and 2 pm.
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Oct 11, 2008 - Oct 12, 2008 10 am-5 pm
Take part in the annual ritual of autumn just as our rural ancestors did in preparing for the arrival of winter long ago. A second weekend of Autumn on the Farms will be held October 18-19.
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Oct 18, 2008 - Oct 19, 2008 10 am-5 pm
Take part in the annual ritual of autumn just as our rural ancestors did in preparing for the arrival of winter long ago.
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Oct 24, 2008 - Oct 25, 2008 6-9 pm
The vampire Count Dracula, popularized in Bram Stoker's 1897 horror classic, comes to life during Friday and Saturday evening dinner theater performances set amidst the shadowy night backdrop of the Kettle Moraine State Forest and our historic buildings. Dress for the weather so you can help find the vampire's outdoor lair during the final climactic scene! (Content appropriate for most families, however parents should use their own discretion regarding attendance by very young children.) Reservations required.
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Oct 31, 2008 - Nov 1, 2008 6-9 pm
The vampire Count Dracula, popularized in Bram Stoker's 1897 horror classic, comes to life during Friday and Saturday evening dinner theater performances set amidst the shadowy night backdrop of the Kettle Moraine State Forest and our historic buildings. Dress for the weather so you can help find the vampire's outdoor lair during the final climactic scene! (Content appropriate for most families, however parents should use their own discretion regarding attendance by very young children.) Reservations required
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Nov 1, 2008 6-9 pm
The vampire Count Dracula, popularized in Bram Stoker's 1897 horror classic, comes to life during this final evening dinner theater performance set amidst the shadowy night backdrop of the Kettle Moraine State Forest and our historic buildings. Dress for the weather so you can help find the vampire's outdoor lair during the final climactic scene! (Content appropriate for most families, however parents should use their own discretion regarding attendance by very young children.) Reservations required
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Dec 6, 2008 - Dec 7, 2008 Noon-4 pm
Discover the origins of our favorite holiday traditions. From storytelling and caroling to historic games and holiday treats, it's a lovely way to experience the romance of the season. See the Crossroads Village come alive with turn-of-the-century decorations and activities. Do some last-minute Christmas shopping at our museum gift shop or stop by Caldwell Hall and warm up with a cup of hot cocoa or bowl of chili. The event repeats on December 13 and 14.
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Dec 6, 2008 - Dec 7, 2008 2:30-7:30 pm
Learn how Irish immigrants celebrated Christmas. Begin your visit at the Crossroads Village, then gather at the festively decorated Clausing Barn for a traditional Irish celebration of dinner, music and dancing. Reservations required. The event repeats on December 13 and 14.
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Dec 13, 2008 - Dec 14, 2008 Noon-4 pm
Discover the origins of our favorite holiday traditions. From storytelling and caroling to historic games and holiday treats, it's a lovely way to experience the romance of the season. See the Crossroads Village come alive with turn-of-the-century decorations and activities. Do some last-minute Christmas shopping at our museum gift shop or stop by Caldwell Hall and warm up with a cup of hot cocoa or bowl of chili.
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Dec 13, 2008 - Dec 14, 2008 2:30-7:30 pm
Learn how Irish immigrants celebrated Christmas. Begin your visit at the Crossroads Village, then gather at the festively decorated Clausing Barn for a traditional Irish celebration of dinner, music and dancing. Reservations required.