WISCONSIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Adults and Children working together to move hay at Old World Wisconsin
a picture of two wooden cabins taken in the fall
Explore A Historical Wisconsin

Hours

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Admission

admission - OWW

Directions

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Spreading Holiday Cheer with 19th Century Style

The holidays are a magical time to visit Old World Wisconsin. While the site is closed for general admission, visit us on Saturdays and Sundays from Dec. 4-19 for our popular holiday event Home for Holidays. Discover the vibrant holiday traditions brought to Wisconsin by our immigrant ancestors, and create your own holiday memories. Stroll through the site’s Crossroads Village, decked in holiday greenery and full of homes and shops bustling with holiday preparations. Explore how a rich mosaic of ethnic traditions continues to be part of our contemporary celebrations and learn the stories behind them. See details below.

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The Wisconsin Historical Society is committed to prioritizing the health and safety of our guests, members, and staff. Read the information below to learn about our 2021 health and safety protocols.

Mark Your Calendar

Home for the Holidays

Saturday and Sunday | 10 am – 4 pm
Dec 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, & 19

Stroll through the site’s Crossroads Village, decked in holiday greenery and full of homes and shops bustling with holiday preparations. Explore how a rich mosaic of ethnic traditions continues to be part of our contemporary celebrations and learn the stories behind them.

Old World Wisconsin is the perfect spot to meet friends and family from across the region to enjoy a day of warmth and discovery as you create your own holiday traditions. Sights, sounds, smells, and tastes will make history come to life as we connect in new ways.

Old World Wisconsin Foundation

This event is brought to you by the generosity of the Old World Foundation.

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Old Nick dressed in a red stocking hat, green vest, red neck tie and a white shirt. He's talking with a young boy.

Continue Sharing in the Holiday Spirit

Give a gift membership. Spread historical cheer all year. Give a gift by clicking here!

Holiday Gift Guide. Find one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone on your list. Start Shopping by clicking here.

child opening a barn door

Explore Old World Wisconsin

For centuries, people left old worlds for a new life in Wisconsin. They faced unfamiliar landscapes and languages, learned to establish farms and communities, and blended the old with the new. Welcome to the world they created. Welcome to Old World Wisconsin.

Through stories of perseverance, explore the lives of those who called this place home. At the core of the storytelling is the understanding that history is about the past, present, and future, and is a story we tell together.

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For Your Health & Safety

reserve a spot. advance registration

Advance
Registration

Advance registration is required for some events

Face Masks required

Face Mask
Policy

Required for guests indoors if you are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Recommended for guests indoors if you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Daily cleaning & sanitizing

Daily Cleaning and Sanitizing

Daily cleaning & sanitizing enhanced at all facilities

Maintain Social Distance. Two people 6 ft apart.

Social Distancing Guidelines

Please practice social distancing while on-site

2021 Site Protocols

Effective Aug. 5, in accordance with current state guidelines

To protect your safety and ours:

  • If you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, we recommend you wear a face mask while inside on-site at our historic sites and museums.
  • If you are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 you are required to wear a face mask while inside on-site at our historic sites and museums.
  • Please practice social distancing at our historic sites and museums.
  • Disposable masks will be available on-site.
  • All facilities will adhere to increased daily cleaning and sanitation requirements and there will be cleaning stations in each building.
  • Each location will follow strict guest engagement protocols, including parking, food preparation, and the use of shared facilities such as a public restroom.
  • Staff and guests, per CDC guidance, are asked to stay home if they have tested positive for COVID-19, are waiting for COVID-19 test results, have COVID-19 symptoms, or if they have had close contact with a person who has tested positive for or who has symptoms of COVID-19.
  • As we continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19 our hours and guidelines for access may change. Please continue to check our website for the most up-to-date information.

Site Accessibility

Explore Other 2021 Experiences

Click the button below for more information on how you can safely explore history in a new way through our 2021 programs and events.

Explore Other 2021 Experiences

Black Point Estate, a view of the tower and the rest of the building, the clouds are beautiful and really frame the building.

Black Point Estate & Gardens

A circus cart on a lawn, bright red, yellow, and orange colors.

Circus World

Walking by the Capitol Square

Wisconsin Historical Museum

New Arrivals: A Campaign

Brewery Building view from the back, with lots of windows.
A newly constructed Brewing Experience building, combined with relocated historic Wittnebel’s Tavern and a festive outdoor Beer Garden, will allow Old World Wisconsin guests to celebrate Wisconsin’s brewing traditions like never before.

Creating an Immersive Welcome Experience at Old World Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Historical Society is excited to announce that it has begun construction on an exciting Brewing Experience building at Old World Wisconsin. With construction scheduled throughout 2021, the Brewing Experience building will be the first new structure completed as part of a $5.5 million project that represents the first two phases of a larger, multi-year master plan that will transform the site’s entry area with a reimagined Welcome Experience.

Learn More

Get Involved

Don’t forget—members receive free general admission and a 10% discount on special experiences.
Show your support today!

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