Prairie du Chien, WI. – Villa Louis, a National Historic Landmark and one of the Wisconsin Historical Society’s 12 historic sites and museums, is excited to welcome guests to a special experience on St. Feriole Island to help ring in the new year on Sunday, January 2, 2022. “Bon Année” is inspired by the culture and traditions brought to the region by early French-Canadian settlers and will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  

Keeping with 19^th century tradition, “Bonne Année” is a holiday celebration featuring lively music, special foods to eat, and quality time with friends and family. Admission is free and open to the public, and guests are invited to stop by the recently restored St. Germain house in St. Feriole Island Park during their visit. Throughout the day there will be lively fiddle music, singing of voyageur songs, spiced cider, and tasty baked goods. Grand-père will be sitting in his special chair to offer guests holidays greetings and the Villa Louis museum store will be open for browsing throughout the event.

At 3:00 p.m., Mary Elise Antoine will present a program called “The French in Wisconsin” at the Villa Louis Fur Trade building on Boilvin Street. Admission to the presentation is free but seating is limited. Contact Villa Louis by phone or email to reserve a spot for the presentation: 608-326-2721 or villalouis@wisconsinhistory.org.

The St. Germain dit Gauthier-Coorough House is owned by the Prairie du Chien Historical Society and interprets the French-Canadian fur trade culture of early 19^th century Prairie du Chien. For more information, contact Prairie du Chien Historical Society: (608) 326-6960 or ftcrawmu@mhtc.net.

About Villa Louis

The historic Villa Louis mansion is the centerpiece of a grand Victorian estate built by the family of Hercules Dousman, a frontier entrepreneur who amassed a fortune in the fur trade and other frontier investments. The mansion underwent a top-to-bottom restoration to return the Dousman home to the splendor of its 1890s heyday, with interior designs inspired by famed designer William Morris. Visit villalouis.wisconsinhistory.org for more information or call 608-264-4848.

About the 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 www.wisconsinhistory.org.