Old World Wisconsin

Old World Wisconsin is an open-air museum located near Eagle, in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States. It depicts housing and the daily life of settlers in 19th-century Wisconsin, with separate areas representing the traditions of different ethnic groups who settled in the state. Costumed interpreters portray the occupations and chores of typical settlers of the time.

Overview

Opened in 1976, the museum is owned and operated by the Wisconsin Historical Society. The largest outdoor museum of rural life in the United States, it encompasses approximately 480 acres<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Open access</ref> (2.4 km²) of rolling wooded hills. It is adjacent to the Kettle Moraine State Forest South Unit. It contains more than 60 historic structures, ranging from ethnic farmsteads with furnished houses and rural outbuildings to an 1880s crossroads village with traditional small town institutions. Ramsey barn contains a gift shop, the historically inspired Brewhouse demonstrates historic brewing and offers samples of the daily brew. The Creamery offers a selection of lunch options, snacks, sweets and frozen custard. An event space is located in the octagonal Clausing Barn. Trams run between the Scandinavian and Life on the Farms, and Crossroads Village Areas.

History

Old World Wisconsin exists largely due to the efforts of German immigrant Hans Kuether and architect Richard W. E. Perrin.<ref name="COWW">Template:Cite book</ref> Perrin was an early advocate for the preservation of historic structures as evidenced by his involvement with the Association for the Preservation of Historic Buildings and with the preservation of the Mitchell-Rountree House in Platteville, Wisconsin in 1959.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Open access</ref> Perrin published a guide book in 1960 titled Historic Wisconsin Architecture listing 76 structures in Wisconsin that he felt were worthy of preservation.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Open access</ref> Perrin first proposed the idea for an outdoor museum in 1964 in the form of a "Pioneer Park".<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Open access</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Perrin's inspiration for the park actually dated back to a trip he made to Europe in 1953 and visited European outdoor museums including Skansen in Sweden which he used as his model for the Wisconsin Park.<ref name="COWW" />

The effort to actually create the museum began in 1966, when the University of Wisconsin Department of Landscape Architucture and the Wisconsin Historical Society, agreed to have an undergraduate class at the university prepare preliminary plans for an outdoor museum.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Open access</ref> The proposals created were published in a report titled "Heritage Village, Wisconsin – A Preliminary Proposal". Following this, two graduate students were selected to refine and expand the preliminary programs through research, on-site investigations and design studies and create a master plan for development. The study was co-funded by the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and the State Historical Society at a cost of under $5,000. In 1968, the master plan was summarized in a 122-page report which also included an economic feasibility study by a graduate student in the School of Business. The project was named Old World Wisconsin and the Heritage wording was later applied to the Heritage Hill State Historical Park near Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Fundraising for purchase of property estimated at $30,000 were begun in January 1969.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Open access</ref> In June 1971 it was announced that the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources would transfer about 560 acres of property that was then part of the Kettle Moraine State Forest to the State Historical Society for the museum. Development costs were estimated at $1.5 million at that time with about 20% of that coming from private donors.

Development of the park was intended to start in 1972 and the Historical Society had already moved 11 dismantled structures to the site but work was delayed until 1973 pending completion of an environmental impact study.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Open access</ref> A dispute arose in 1973 with the Town of Eagle. The residents of the town were concerned about the impact the environmental impact statement revealed that the development of the museum would have on their town and the town board became concerned over lack of control by local zoning and building permits.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Open access</ref> The board had directed the town's building inspector to post a stop-work order at the site.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Open access</ref> The state filed a suit to vacate the order and $50,000 damages. The town countersued for $5,000,000 claiming that newly passed state law required the state to follow local zoning ordinances. The court lifted the order stating that work had started at the site before the law took effect on August 1 and was therefore exempt from the new rule.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Open access</ref> The town did not give up on their lawsuit until November 1974.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Open access</ref>

The park was dedicated on June 8, 1974, with a flag-raising ceremony. At the time there were 8 structures completed or under construction.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Open access</ref>

In May 1975, the society reported that construction was still on schedule but that estimated costs had risen from $2.3 million to $4.5 million but that donations had only produced about $1 million.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Open access</ref>

In December 1975 Wisconsin Governor Patrick Lucey announced that a $4 million fund raising campaign would be chaired by Herbert Kohler Jr. and his wife Linda.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Open access</ref> The Kohler family already had a 45-year history of historic building construction and restoration through the Kohler Foundation dating back to the 1931 construction of the Waelderhaus and the 1950s restoration of the Sylvanus Wade House.

The queen of Denmark, Margrethe II dedicated the Danish exhibit on May 14, 1976.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Open access</ref>

The museum officially opened on June 30, 1976, in time for the United States Bicentennial celebration.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Open access</ref>

Tornado damage

On the evening of June 21, 2010, the museum was hit by a tornado that leveled acres of trees on the grounds.<ref>Tom Held, Mike Johnson and Karen Herzog. "Homeowners assess tornado damage after harrowing night in Eagle" Template:Webarchive, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, June 22, 2010. Retrieved November 4, 2010.</ref> The "Old World 4th of July" event was canceled because of the clean-up efforts.

Villages

File:Yoked Wisconsin oxen.jpg

Live Interpreter with oxen

The park is divided into themed areas that represent typical settlement from various immigrant cultures.

• African American: Pleasant Ridge Cemetery Chapel, Shepard Family Cemetery, United Brethren Church, Pleasant Ridge Cemetery
• Danish: Pedersen Farm
• Finnish: Rankinen Farm, Ketola Farm
• German: Koepsel Farm, Schottler Farm, Schulz Farm
  • Christian Turck House was originally known as Schottler Farm. Both the Koepsel House and Christian Turck House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. .<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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• Norwegian: Fossebrekke Farm, Kvaale Farm, Raspberry School<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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• Polish: Kruza House
• Yankee/1880s Village: Harmony Town Hall, Four Mile Inn, Sisel Shoe Shop, Benson House, Grotelueschen Blacksmith Shop, Peterson Wagon Shop, Thomas General Store, Mary Hafford House, St. Peter's Church and a new exhibit added in 2014, Catch Wheel Fever
  • Yankee Village also contains non-Yankee buildings featuring the integration of other European settlers to Wisconsin in the 19th century:
    • Sisel shoe shop (Czech)
    • Grotelueschen Blacksmith Shop (German)
    • Peterson Wagon Shop (Scandinavian)

List of structures

Template:GeoGroup Three of the site's structures are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Buildings were relocated from locations throughout Wisconsin. Template:Clear right

Structure name	Village	location	Image	Built	Construction/style/notes
Bicycle Shop	The Green	Template:Coord	File:OWW-TheGreen-Bicycle Shop.jpg
Caldwell Hall Education Center	The Green	Template:Coord	File:Caldwell Farmers Club Hall-Old World Wisconsin.jpg
Clausing Barn/Gift Shop	The Green	Template:Coord	File:Clausing Barn Old World Wisconsin.jpg
Pergola	The Green	Template:Coord	File:OWW-TheGreen-Pergola.jpg	2016
Ramsey Barn	The Green	Template:Coord	File:Ramsey Barn Old World Wisconsin.jpg
Shelter	The Green	Template:Coord	File:OWW-TheGreen-Shelter.jpg
Guest Services/Family History Center	The Green	Template:Coord	File:OWW-Guest Services-Family History Center.jpg
United Brethren Church	African-American	Template:Coord	File:United Brethren Church-Old World Wisconsin.jpg
Pleasant Ridge Chapel	African-American	Template:Coord	File:Pleasant Ridge Chapel Old World Wisconsin.jpg
Pleasant Ridge Cemetery	African-American	Template:Coord	File:Pleasant Ridge Cemetery Old World Wisconsin.jpg
Shepard Family Cemetery	African-American	Template:Coord	File:Shepard Family Cemetery Old World Wisconsin.jpg
Pedersen House	Danish	Template:Coord	File:Pederson House-Old World Wisconsin.jpg	1872<ref name="PedersonSign">Template:Citation</ref>	moved from Polk County<ref name="PedersonSign" />
Pedersen Barn	Danish	Template:Coord	File:Pederson Barn-Old World Wisconsin.jpg	early 1870s <ref name="PedersonSign" />	moved from Polk County<ref name="PedersonSign" />
Ketola Barn	Finnish	Template:Coord	File:Ketola Barn-Old World Wisconsin.jpg		Moved from Oulu, Bayfield County
Ketola House	Finnish	Template:Coord	File:Ketola House-Old World Wisconsin.jpg		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Moved from Oulu, Bayfield County
Lantta Hay Barn (Ketola Farm)	Finnish	Template:Coord	File:Lantta Hay Barn-Old World Wisconsin.jpg
Ronkainen Sauna (Ketola Farm)	Finnish	Template:Coord	File:Ronkainen Sauna-Old World Wisconsin.jpg
Kortesmaa Granary (Ketola Farm)	Finnish	Template:Coord	File:Kortesmaa Granary-Old World Wisconsin.jpg
Makela Stable (Ketola Farm)	Finnish	Template:Coord	File:Makela Stable Old World Wisconsin.jpg
Rankinen Outhouse (Ketola Farm)	Finnish	Template:Coord	File:Rankinen Outhouse-Old World Wisconsin.jpg
Rankinen House	Finnish	Template:Coord	File:Rankinen House-Old World Wisconsin.jpg
Rankinen Barn	Finnish	Template:Coord	File:Rankinen Barn-Old World Wisconsin.jpg
Kortesmaa Outhouse (Rankinen Farm)	Finnish	Template:Coord
Koepsel House	German	Template:Coord	File:Koepsell House Rear at Old World Wisconsin.jpg	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> || Listed on the NRHP in 1973 (#73000095)
Barn (Koepsel Farm)	German	Template:Coord
Brewing Shed (Koepsel Farm)	German	Template:Coord
Outhouse (Koepsel Farm)	German	Template:Coord	File:Koepsell Outhouse Old World Wisconsin.jpg
Stable (Koepsel Farm)	German	Template:Coord		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> || Astylistic Utilitarian. Moved to Old World Wisconsin from town of Emmet, Dodge County, west side of County Road EM, 1.1 miles north of State Road 109
Hog pen (Koepsel Farm)	German	Template:Coord	File:Koepsell Hog Pen Old World Wisconsin.jpg
Wood Shop (Koepsel Farm)	German	Template:Coord
Schultz House	German	Template:Coord	File:Schultz House Old World Wisconsin.jpg
Schultz Barn	German	Template:Coord	File:Schultz Barn Old World Wisconsin.jpg
Schultz Stable	German	Template:Coord	File:Schultz Stable Old World Wisconsin.jpg
Schottler House	German	Template:Coord	File:Christian Turck House at Old World Wisconsin.jpg	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> || Cedar log house chinked with rye straw and clay, built in Washington County. Listed on the NRHP in 1973 (#73000097) as Christian Turck House
Held Barn (Schottler farm)	German	Template:Coord	File:Held Barn Old World Wisconsin.jpg
Jung Barn (Schottler farm)	German	Template:Coord	File:Jung Barn Old World Wisconsin.jpg
Fassbender Granary (Schottler farm)	German	Template:Coord	File:Fassbender Granery Old World Wisconsin.jpg
Kessel Bakehouse (Schottler farm)	German	Template:Coord	File:Kessel Bakehouse Old World Wisconsin.jpg
Jung Smokehouse (Schottler farm)	German	Template:Coord	File:Jung Smokehouse Exterior Old World Wisconsin.jpg
Abandoned House	Norwegian	Template:Coord
Abandoned Barn	Norwegian	Template:Coord
Kvaale House	Norwegian	Template:Coord	File:Kvaale House Front-Old World Wisconsin.jpg
Dahlen Corncrib (Kvaale Farm)	Norwegian	Template:Coord
Sorbergshagen Barn (Kvaale Farm)	Norwegian	Template:Coord	File:Sorbergshagen Barn-Old World Wisconsin.jpg
Lisbakken Granery (Kvaale Farm)	Norwegian	Template:Coord	File:Lisbakken Granary-Old World Wisconsin.jpg
Bosboen Barn (Kvaale Farm)	Norwegian	Template:Coord	File:Bosboen Barn-Old World Wisconsin.jpg
Otteson Outhouse (Kvaale Farm)	Norwegian	Template:Coord
Veggli House (Kvaale Farm)	Norwegian	Template:Coord
Fossebrekke House	Norwegian	Template:Coord	File:Fossebrekke Farm-Old World Wisconsin.jpg	1845 (oldest building on site)<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Raspberry Schoolhouse	Norwegian	Template:Coord	File:OldWorldWisconsinRaspberrySchoolHouse.jpg
Ward District Schoolhouse No. 3	Norwegian	Template:Coord	File:Ward District School House No. 3.jpeg	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> || Greek Revival, Listed on the NRHP in 1981 (#81000066)
Kruza House	Polish	Template:Coord	File:Kruza House Old World Wisconsin.jpg
Kaczorowski Outhouse	Polish	Template:Coord	File:Kaczorowski Outhouse Old World Wisconsin.jpg
Roadside Cross	Polish	Template:Coord
Benson House	Yankee/1880s Village	Template:Coord	File:Benson House Old World Wisconsin.jpg
Benson Barn	Yankee/1880s Village	Template:Coord
Benson Gezebo	Yankee/1880s Village	Template:Coord
Blacksmith Shop	Yankee/1880s Village	Template:Coord	File:Blacksmith Shop Old World Wisconsin.jpg
Hafford House	Yankee/1880s Village	Template:Coord	File:Mary Hafford Irish Immigrant House Old World Wisconsin.jpg
Four Mile House	Yankee/1880s Village	Template:Coord	File:Four Mile House Old World Wisconsin.jpg
Harmony Town Hall	Yankee/1880s Village	Template:Coord	File:Harmony Town Hall-Old World Wisconsin.jpg	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> || Front Gabled. Originally build it Town of Harmony in Rock County. Moved to Old World Wisconsin in October, 1976.
Peterson Wagon Shop	Yankee/1880s Village	Template:Coord	File:Wagon Shop Old World Wisconsin.jpg
Sisel Shoe Shop	Yankee/1880s Village	Template:Coord	File:Sisel Shoe Shop Old World Wisconsin.jpg
Sisel Barn	Yankee/1880s Village	Template:Coord
Stage	Yankee/1880s Village	Template:Coord
Thomas General Store	Yankee/1880s Village	Template:Coord	File:Thomas General Store Old World Wisconsin.jpg	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> || Front gabled limestone. Moved to Old World Wisconsin in 1992 from the SE corner of Hwy 18 and Waterville Road in Waukesha County.
Barn (Thomas Store)	Yankee/1880s Village	Template:Coord	File:Thomas General Store Shed World World Wisconsin.jpg
Outhouse (Thomas Store)	Yankee/1880s Village	Template:Coord	File:Thomas Store Outhouse2 Old World Wisconsin.jpg
Loomer Barn	Yankee/1880s Village	Template:Coord	File:Loomer Barn Old World Wisconsin.jpg	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> || Astylistic Utilitarian. The Loomer Barn was reconstructed at Old World Wisconsin in the mid-1980s as a part of the Yankee farmstead. It's an example of a three-bay threshing barn, tied to the period of heavy wheat production in southern WI.
Sanford House	Yankee/1880s Village	Template:Coord	File:Sanford House Old World Wisconsin.jpg
St. Peter's Church	Yankee/1880s Village	Template:Coord	File:St Peters Church Old World Wisconsin.jpg	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> || Gothic Revival. Moved from 3257 S Lake Dr, St. Francis. Originally located at 2469 N. Murray Ave. in Milwaukee.
Administrative offices	Service/Admin/Misc	Template:Coord
Concession Stand	Service/Admin/Misc	Template:Coord
Entrance Sign (North 1 of 2)	Service/Admin/Misc	Template:Coord	File:OWW-Entrance sign-north.jpg
Entrance Sign (South 2 of 2)	Service/Admin/Misc	Template:Coord	File:OWW-Entrance sign-south.jpg
Farmhouse	Service/Admin/Misc	Template:Coord
Farmhouse barn	Service/Admin/Misc	Template:Coord
Farmhouse garage	Service/Admin/Misc	Template:Coord
Farmhouse shed	Service/Admin/Misc	Template:Coord
Farmhouse wellhouse	Service/Admin/Misc	Template:Coord
Greenhouse	Service/Admin/Misc	Template:Coord
Machinery building	Service/Admin/Misc	Template:Coord
Maintenance building	Service/Admin/Misc	Template:Coord
Maintenance shed	Service/Admin/Misc	Template:Coord
Maintenance shed	Service/Admin/Misc	Template:Coord
Picnic Shelter	Service/Admin/Misc	Template:Coord
Public Restrooms (German Area)	Service/Admin/Misc	Template:Coord
Public Restrooms (Norwegian Area)	Service/Admin/Misc	Template:Coord
Rustic Restrooms	Service/Admin/Misc	Template:Coord	File:OWW-Finnish - Rustic Restrooms.jpg
Storage Barn	Service/Admin/Misc	Template:Coord
Tram stop shelter	Service/Admin/Misc	Template:Coord

External links

• Old World Wisconsin website