EAGLE, Wis. (April 17, 2024) -- Hang on to your hat for a “Wild, Wooly and Windy” weekend when Old World Wisconsin opens for the season on May 4.  Watch shaggy sheep get their annual haircut, fly a kite high in the sky and seek out migrating birds and blooming wildflowers on a guided spring hike. Plus, there’s more blowing in the wind at the 600-acre Wisconsin Historical Society site this spring with the arrival of the rare, heritage breed Java chickens and the opening of the new interactive “Wagon Works Maker Space”.

“We have a lot of new happenings at Old World Wisconsin this season—spring is one of the best times to visit,” said Maria Comiskey, general manager of experiences and events at Old World Wisconsin. “We have added new attractions to a number of our historical buildings, expanded our heirloom gardening program, and created fun, hands-on experiences where guests can learn an old-world skill like designing wagon wheels and sleighs or creating silhouette cutouts.”

Other new experiences include a nature exhibit at the 1890s Danish Farm, folk art crafting at the 1900 Polish homestead and a new food service option at the festively decorated Caldwell Hall where a historic character by the name of Clara Peacock will celebrate her 50th birthday each day. And don’t forget to check out some exciting new merchandise in the Ramsey Barn.

In addition to these daily experiences, the spring season will also usher in favorite special events including:

Moms Get in Free for Mother’s Day – Sunday, May 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Take mom for a memorable family outing this Mother’s Day. All moms will be the guest of honor and receive free general admission entry at the gate.

Goat Yoga – Saturday, May 18 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

Practice flexibility, balance and strength while enjoying the company of frolicking goats. Goat yoga is a great way to reduce stress and tension while improving mental and physical health. The class, in collaboration with Riverside Studio and goats provided by Oak Hollow Acres in Burlington, is perfect for all ages and abilities. Space is limited for this popular returning event, so reserve your ticket now.

To purchase general or special event tickets, go to www.oldworldwisconsin.org or click here.

Old World Wisconsin’s spring season runs from May 4-June 9, and is open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The summer season is from June 12-Aug. 25 and is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fall season is from Aug. 31-Sept. 29, and is open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost of daily admission is $20 for adults, $20 for teens (13-17), $18 for seniors (65+), $13 for children (5-12) and free for children under 5.

Wisconsin Historical Society members receive free general admission to Old World Wisconsin and a ten percent discount on special events. Members are invited to pick up their complimentary “PastPort” at any of the Society’s 12 historic sites this season. Members earn stamps by visiting each site, working towards special discounts, fun prizes and the opportunity to earn a FREE year of membership.

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Annual Calendar of Events at Old World Wisconsin

• Hands-On History Workshops:
  • Ales and Lagers in Old Wisconsin

Thursday, June 13 | 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Get ready for a hoppin’ good time at this hands-on history workshop where you’ll brew your very own beer! Together, we’ll heat the copper kettles and mix up fresh ingredients to create a brew straight out of the 1860s—the type of beer commonly found on early Wisconsin farms. This special brewing experience, with lunch, a beer tasting and a commemorative beer to take home, is priced at $100 per person.

• Baking and Cooking

Thursday, June 20, July 25, Aug. 15 | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Get ready to knead, roll, bake and cook in this historic introduction to 1800s cooking. Step up to the 1880s stove in the Crossroads Village Four Mile House kitchen and tend the fire as you prepare unique dishes enjoyed by previous generations of Wisconsin settlers. No cooking or baking experience is needed for this special session. The class includes admission to the site, the prepared boarding house lunch, a beer or soda fountain drink, and historic recipes. The cost is $200 per person.

• Spinning Wool

Thursday, June 20, July 18, Aug. 15 | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Want to master the art of spinning wool? This interactive workshop will take amateur and seasoned students alike through 1800s yarn design: start with sheep fleece and finish with well-made yarns of all sorts. Learn how to wash, prepare and card wool before trying your hand at using a 19th century spinning wheel. No experience is necessary to spin. This session includes admission to the site, lunch, and a skein of professionally made yarn from the wool of Old World Wisconsin’s sheep. The cost is $200 per person.

• Blacksmithing

Thursday, June 13, July 18, Aug. 8 | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Forge your skill—and prove your merit—as an 1800s metalworker when you step into the heat of the Blacksmith Workshop at Old World Wisconsin! Learn the basics of blacksmithing with a trained and talented smith. Heat and work steel by crafting and molding a variety of different objects—some of which you’ll be able to take home and present to friends, family and loved ones as handmade gifts. No prior experience is needed. This is an introductory level class. Workshop attendance includes free admission to Old World Wisconsin on the day of the class, as well as free lunch.  The cost is $200 person.

• Midsummer Celebration

Saturday, June 15 | 4:30 - 9 p.m.

Experience the mysterious magic of a Scandinavian “Midsomer,” or Midsummer, celebration at Old World Wisconsin. An ancient seasonal tradition in Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Denmark, Midsummer celebrations have been held since the Iron Age as a means of shaking off winter. Enter the Scandinavian Homesteads and immerse yourself in our re-creation of the historic tradition featuring traditional ales from hand-picked local breweries, samples from special Old World-brewed casks, snacks from a variety of food trucks, live music and a host of other activities. The cost is $75 per person and includes 6-10 tastings, a souvenir glass and a passport to track stops and pours at local brewer stations.

• Independence Day Weekend

Saturday - Sunday, July 6-7 | 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Celebrate the stars and stripes during a weekend jam-packed with food, games, music, performances and other patriotic festivities! Take part in historic games, join a spelling bee, churn your own butter, enjoy a children’s parade and enter the famous pie-eating event. Indulge in a picnic while listening to rousing tunes played by seasoned brass musicians, and cap things off with an inspirational reading of the Declaration of Independence. The cost is $20 for adults, $20 for teens (age 13-17), $18 for seniors (65+), $13 for children and free for children under 5.

• For Liberty & Union: A Civil War Living History Experience

Saturday - Sunday, July 20-21 | 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

In partnership with military history interpreters (Badger Light Infantry), Old World Wisconsin presents For Liberty & Union: A Civil War Living History Experience. Explore the impact of Wisconsin's communities in the American Civil War in the theater of battle and at home. For 2024, Old World will focus on the 28th Wisconsin regiment. The cost is $20 for adults, $20 for teens (age 13-17), $18 for seniors (65+) and $13 for children.

• Adult Flashback Field Trip

Thursday, Aug. 15, Sept. 12 | 6 to 9 p.m.

Remember your first-ever trip to Old World Wisconsin? Seeing sparks fly in the Blacksmith Shop, peering at the candy-laden shelves of the General Store, walking into a log cabin complete with pelts, period clothing and old-school farm tools... while your first foray past the gates of the Crossroads Village may have been long ago, you can now relive the sights, smells and sounds of your favorite summer adventure during Adult Flashback Field Trips—and this time, you can do it with an ice cold Brewhouse beer in hand. The cost is $65 per person.

• Wine Event with American Wine Project

Friday, Aug. 16 |4:30 - 8 p.m.

Wine is always better when sipped in a beautiful location—why not try a selection of vintages at Old World Wisconsin this summer? Gather in Crossroads Village for a delicious five-course, seasonally curated picnic menu featuring locally sourced meats, fresh produce and other refreshments, including a robust selection of American Wine Projects natural wines. The cost is $100 per person.

• Halloween Legends & Lore

Friday - Saturday, Oct. 11-12, 18-19, 25-26 | 5:30 - 9:30 p.m.

In October, the veil between our world and the next grows thin at Old World Wisconsin... watch as troves of supernatural tales brought from other cultures come to life for an eerie evening of Halloween-themed spook-tacular activities! Explore the historic Crossroads Village after nightfall for a spirited, one-of-a-kind adventure full of ghost stories, games, performances and more. Enjoy drinks, sweet treats, hot food and live music. The cost is $22 for adults, $20 for teens (age 13-17), $20 for seniors (65+), $17 for children and free for children under 5. Get your tickets early for this guest-favorite signature event!

• Home for the Holidays

Saturday - Sunday, Dec. 7-8, 14-15 | 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Ready for a picturesque Victorian winter full of bustling shops, scenic stops and endless good cheer? Experience it all at Home for the Holidays, where you’ll stroll through a charming 1800s village filled with crackling bonfires, festive greenery and fun-filled craft making. Take a horse-drawn wagon ride, pick out a Christmas tree from the pine lot, visit Victorian Santa in his magical toy workshop, greet Jultomten and his giant goat companion and watch out for Krampus! The cost is $24 for adults, $24 for teens (age 13-17), $12 for seniors (65+), $18 for children and free for children under 5. Get your tickets early for this guest-favorite signature event!

About Old World Wisconsin

Old World Wisconsin is one of the Wisconsin Historical Society’s 12 historic sites and museums. Rated as one of the top attractions to take kids in the Milwaukee area, Old World Wisconsin is a 600-acre regional history attraction that features interactive environments and immersive stories of 19th-and early 20th-century Midwestern immigrant farm and rural life. The museum offers guests family-friendly, hands-on activities as they visit a crossroads village and eight working farmsteads, explore heirloom gardens, experience beer brewing traditions, meet heritage animal breeds and try historic crafts and skills. Old World Wisconsin is located on Highway 67 just south of Eagle, Wisconsin, within daytrip distance of Milwaukee, Chicago and Madison. For more information and a list of upcoming events visit oldworldwisconsin.org or call (262) 594-6301. Wisconsin Historical Society members receive free general admission to this site during regular operating hours.