Calendar & Events

Calendar & Events

  1. The Spirit of Christmas Past

    Dec 5, 2009 - Dec 6, 2009   Noon-4 pm Join us for a shorter, more intimate visit as you stroll the 1870s Crossroads Village and Ketola farmstead, all decked out for the holidays. Walk house to house, shop to shop as you join in the festivities and see how different cultures contributed to the rituals we enjoy today. Have your holiday photo taken with our historic Father Christmas, make a Swedish ornament, sample some gingerbread and check out the cozy sauna. Make this event the start of your own holiday tradition! The event repeats on December 12 and 13.

    Special Note to Visitors: Trams will not be in service during either weekend of this event, and the roads that link the Visitor Center with the Crossroads Village and the Ketola Farmstead are unpaved. In the event of snow or other inclement weather, wheelchair access to the event may be difficult.

    View or download a detailed schedule of events for The Spirit of Christmas Past (PDF 452KB).

    View a one-minute video about The Spirit of Christmas Past on YouTube, and visit Old World Wisconsin's new YouTube channel.

  2. Swedish Ethnic Holiday Dinner

    Dec 5, 2009 - Dec 6, 2009   2:30-7:30 pm Event sponsored by the Old World Wisconsin Foundation
    Celebrate the season with a sumptuous meal, music, entertainment and holiday traditions, inspired by the Swedish immigrants who settled in Wisconsin. The event repeats on December 12 and 13. Reservations required.

  3. Swedish Ethnic Holiday Dinner

    Dec 12, 2009 - Dec 13, 2009   2:30-7:30 pm Event sponsored by the Old World Wisconsin Foundation
    Celebrate the season with a sumptuous meal, music, entertainment and holiday traditions, inspired by the Swedish immigrants who settled in Wisconsin. Reservations required.

  4. The Spirit of Christmas Past

    Dec 12, 2009 - Dec 13, 2009   Noon-4 pm Join us for a shorter, more intimate visit as you stroll the 1870s Crossroads Village and Ketola farmstead, all decked out for the holidays. Walk house to house, shop to shop as you join in the festivities and see how different cultures contributed to the rituals we enjoy today. Have your holiday photo taken with our historic Father Christmas, make a Swedish ornament, sample some gingerbread and check out the cozy sauna. Make this event the start of your own holiday tradition!

    Special Note to Visitors: Trams will not be in service during either weekend of this event, and the roads that link the Visitor Center with the Crossroads Village and the Ketola Farmstead are unpaved. In the event of snow or other inclement weather, wheelchair access to the event may be difficult.

    View or download a detailed schedule of events for The Spirit of Christmas Past (PDF 452KB).

    View a one-minute video about The Spirit of Christmas Past on YouTube, and visit Old World Wisconsin's new YouTube channel.

  5. Bustle Hustle 5K Run/Walk

    May 2, 2010   Registration: 8 am. Race begins: 10 am. Museum opens at noon. Are you willing to brave the "Bustle Hustle"? Our very first 5K run/walk goes through the museum grounds including the Crossroads Village, farmyards, up and down the rolling hills of the Kettle Moraine and even through a field or two! Registration packet includes a T-shirt, admission discount coupon and more.

  6. Rituals of Spring

    May 15, 2010   10 am-5 pm Join us in readying the farmsteads for the growing season. See draft horses plow the croplands and learn about the importance of sorghum as you observe its planting. Watch wool go from fleece to fiber as you see how stock dogs herd sheep, the sheep are hand sheared, and the wool is carded, spun and dyed. Help the historic farmers assemble an antique sawmill. Plant a little history in your backyard with something from our heirloom plant sale.

    View a one-minute video about the the Rituals of Spring event on YouTube, and visit Old World Wisconsin's new YouTube channel.

  7. Barn Dance

    May 15, 2010   6-9 pm Come join us for a rollicking evening of live music and dancing — no prior knowledge required! So popular in 2009 that we added three dances this year — this being the first! Held rain or shine in the upper loft of our Clausing Barn. We'll have snacks and drinks available to purchase. The next barn dance will be held July 24.

  8. Vintage Base Ball: Eagle Diamonds Home Opener

    Jun 12, 2010   10 am-5 pm (game time is 1:30 pm) Experience the joy of an old-fashioned game of base ball (yes, it was originally two words!) as Old World Wisconsin's vintage team, the Eagle Diamonds, faces off against the Milwaukee Cream Citys at 1:30 pm. Learn more about the 1860s rules and the history of the Diamonds, try the equipment and meet the players at this special daylong event. Admission to the museum gets you into the game for free. Enjoy base ball car load pricing: just $43 admits your entire car load (up to nine people). The Diamonds will be in action in another game of vintage base ball on July 17.

  9. An Old World Fourth of July

    Jul 4, 2010   10 am-5 pm Start your celebration with a bang as our local farmer's cannon fires to signal the beginning of the grand event, like those held in small towns during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Enjoy old-fashioned games, a band concert, and other historic activities. Join in song during our patriotic exercises, which end with a firing of the cannon and attempts to climb the greased pole for a prize in gold coins at the top. Admission to the museum is free for veterans with proof of service.

    View a one-minute video about the 2008 Old World Fourth of July on YouTube, and visit Old World Wisconsin's new YouTube channel.

  10. Vintage Base Ball: Eagle Diamonds vs. Milwaukee Grays

    Jul 17, 2010   10 am-5 pm (game time is 1:30 pm) The Eagle Diamonds meet the Milwaukee Grays at the historic Ward School field. Guided by rules governing 1860s base ball, the match will find the first "striker to the line" called at 1:30. Admission to the museum gets you into the game for free. Enjoy base ball car load pricing: just $43 admits your entire carload (up to nine people). The Diamonds will be in action again during their final game of vintage base ball for this season on August 21.

  11. Barn Dance

    Jul 24, 2010   6-9 pm Come join us for a rollicking evening of live music and dancing — no prior knowledge required! So popular in 2009 that we added three dances this year — this being the second dance! Held rain or shine in the upper loft of our Clausing Barn. We'll have snacks and drinks available to purchase. The final barn dance will be held on September 18.

  12. Laura Ingalls Wilder Days Plus Farm Power

    Jul 24, 2010 - Jul 25, 2010   10 am-5 pm Step into the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder at this hands-on celebration of her life and experiences. Dress like her, try her games and chores, help do Ma and Pa's work, too. Also check out all of the animal-, people-, and steam-powered vintage machines at work throughout the site.

    View a one-minute video on Laura Ingalls Wilder Days on YouTube, and visit Old World Wisconsin's new YouTube channel.

  13. Flavor of Wisconsin: Central Europe

    Aug 14, 2010   5:30-8 pm Explore the flavors of Wisconsin's past at our newest after-hours event. Sample 19th-century immigrant cooking with a Central European flair while listening to some live music. Learn the secrets of preparation, the history of how the foods developed, and take home recipes galore. Ages 21+. Reservations required.

  14. Vintage Base Ball: Eagle Diamonds vs. Greenbush Dead Citys

    Aug 21, 2010   Game time is 1:30 pm The Eagle Diamonds meet their arch rivals, the Greenbush Dead Citys from Wade House, at the historic Ward School field. Guided by rules governing 1860s base ball, the match will find the first "striker to the line" called at 1:30. Admission to the museum gets you into the game for free. Enjoy base ball car load pricing: just $43 admits your entire carload (up to nine people).

  15. Barn Dance

    Sep 18, 2010   6-9 pm Come join us for a rollicking evening of live music and dancing — no prior knowledge required! So popular in 2009 that we added three dances this year — this being the final dance. Held rain or shine in the upper loft of our Clausing Barn. We'll have snacks and drinks available to purchase.

  16. Old World County Fair

    Sep 18, 2010 - Sep 19, 2010   10 am-5 pm Back by popular demand! Join in the re-creation of an 1860s county fair, with livestock judging, historic music, children's games, displays of heirloom produce, flowers and farm implements. Enter a pie YOU bake for judging.

  17. Autumn on the Farms

    Oct 2, 2010 - Oct 3, 2010   10 am-5 pm Celebrate the harvest and help the farmers bring in and preserve this season's crops. Enjoy two full weekends of changing activities. Join in and experience how 19th-century farmers dried and canned the fruits of their gardens, smoked and preserved meat, and readied their homes and farms for coming winter at this popular event. Another Autumn on the Farms weekend will take place October 9-10.

    View a one-minute video about Autumn on the Farms on YouTube, and visit Old World Wisconsin's new YouTube channel.

  18. Autumn on the Farms

    Oct 9, 2010 - Oct 10, 2010   10 am-5 pm Celebrate the harvest and help the farmers bring in and preserve this season's crops. Join in and experience how 19th-century farmers dried and canned the fruits of their gardens, smoked and preserved meat, and readied their homes and farms for coming winter at this popular event.

    View a one-minute video about Autumn on the Farms on YouTube, and visit Old World Wisconsin's new YouTube channel.


Label