For Immediate Release

Contact: Kara O’Keeffe
608-261-9596
[email protected]

October 18, 2018

Learn a New Historic Skill at Old World Wisconsin this November

Eagle, Wis.  – Have you ever wanted to learn how to make your own sausage, how to process and spin wool, learn the basics of blacksmithing or how to make your own sauerkraut? This November Old World Wisconsin will be offering a variety of workshops to learn these skills and more!

"Our workshops enable our guests to take learning to the next level, spending hours working side by side with a skilled artisan exploring the materials, tools, and processes of the past," said Dan Freas, site director of Old World Wisconsin.

All of the classes take place on Saturdays and come with exclusive access to staff and spaces since the site is closed to the general public. This year offers an array of special workshops and apprenticeships for guests. Pre-registration is required to attend any of the classes and early registration is suggested as classes fill up quickly.

November 3, 2018 (12:00 – 3:00 pm) – Sausage Making Workshop
Learn how to make two kinds of traditional sausages inspired by Old World recipes.

November 3, 2018 (10:00 am – 3:00 pm) – Blacksmith Apprenticeship 
Learn the basics of Blacksmithing as you work in small groups shoulder-to-shoulder with an Old World Wisconsin Smith over a coal-fired forge. (This is an introductory level class)

November 10, 2018 (10:00 am – 2:00 pm) – Wool Processing and Spinning Apprenticeship
Learn how raw wool is transformed into beautiful yarn ready for knitting and crochet. 

November 10, 2018 (10:00 am – 4:00 pm) – Blacksmithing Apprenticeship
Learn the basics of Blacksmithing as you work in small groups shoulder-to-shoulder with an Old World Wisconsin Smith over a coal-fired forge. (This is an introductory level class)

November 10, 2018 (12:00 – 3:00 pm) - Sausage Making Workshop
Learn how to make two kinds of traditional sausages inspired by Old World recipes.

November 17, 2018 (10:00 am  - 2:00 pm) – Norwegian Knitting Apprenticeship 
Work with master knitter Gina Markiel to learn stranded 2 color knitting and chart reading while beginning a beautiful Norwegian style headband. 

November 17, 2018 (1:00 – 3:00 pm) – Historic Fermentation Apprenticeship
Make your own historic sauerkraut while also learning about the science and history behind fermented cabbage around the world.

November 17, 2018 (10:00 am – 2:00 pm) – Leather Working Apprenticeship
Learn the basics of how to cut, sew and dye leather as you work to make a beautiful, customized belt and wallet. 

Old World Wisconsin will not be open to the general public during the workshops. For more information and to register visit, oldworldwisconsin.org.

About Old World Wisconsin

Old World Wisconsin is one of the Wisconsin Historical Society’s twelve historic sites and museums. Old World Wisconsin is a 600-acre regional history attraction that features interactive environments and immersive stories of 19^th-and early 20^th-century Midwestern immigrant farm and rural life. It is one of twelve Wisconsin Historical Society sites and museums around the state. The site operates weekends in May, then daily Memorial Day through Labor Day, then Thursdays through Sundays September 10 through October 31. The museum offers guests hands-on activities, led by period-clad staff members, as they visit 10 working farmsteads, explore 12 heirloom gardens, meet heritage animal breeds and try historic crafts and skills. Old World Wisconsin is located on Highway 67 just south of Eagle, Wisconsin in the Milwaukee/Chicago/Madison triangle. For more information visit www.oldworldwisconsin.org or call 262-594-6301

About Wisconsin Historical Society
The Wisconsin Historical Society, founded in 1846, ranks as one of the largest, most active and most diversified state historical societies in the nation. As both a state agency and a private membership organization, its mission is to help people connect to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing stories. The Wisconsin Historical Society serves millions of people every year through a wide range of sites, programs and services. For more information, visit wisconsinhistory.org.

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