While staying in the area around Kettle Moraine State Park, our primary destination was Old World Wisconsin. This is an attraction run by the Wisconsin State Historical Society that was worth the admission price and then some.
Old World Wisconsin - Ox pulled CartA couple of Oxen pull a cart around Old World Wisconsin. Photo by Dave Alexander.
Now in our top favorite stops, Old World Wisconsin outdoor museum gives visitors a glimpse of Wisconsin life through generations and cultures. Here are some of our favorite scenes, however it's only a small portion of what you will see here.
Old World Wisconsin - Bicycle ShopThis big wheel bicycle shop even let's you attempt to ride one. Photo by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.
To create this outdoor museum, researchers traveled throughout the state looking for authentic buildings representing generations of Wisconsin settlers. Opening in 1976, over 60 historic buildings from around the state have been painstakingly moved here piece by piece, literally numbering boards, bricks, and logs to reconstruct them on site. These pieces become "villages and farms" that represent various times in 19th and 20th century Wisconsin. This big wheel bicycle shop even lets you attempt to ride one.
Old World Wisconsin - St. Peters ChurchPhoto by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.
St. Peters Church
Old World Wisconsin - LaundressThe Laundress exhibit at Old World Wisconsin's Crossroads Village. Photo by Dave Alexander.
You experience 1915 at the Finish village, then turn back the clock more to 1839 at the Norwegian area. Each area has its own reenactors showing what life was like. The Laundress exhibit at Old World Wisconsin's Crossroads Village.
Old World Wisconsin - Union Soldier Re-enactorAll the re-enactors and interpreters know their history and are glad to share with you their knowledge. Like this kind Union Soldier who we ran into early on. Photo by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.
We stopped here in August during their Civil War reenactments, but there are different special events throughout their open season running from early May to the end of October. All the re-enactors and interpreters know their history and are glad to share with you their knowledge. Like this kind Union Soldier who we ran into early on.
Old World Wisconsin - Four Mile InnFour Mile Inn at Old World Wisconsin. Photo by Dave Alexander.
Four Mile Inn
Old World Wisconsin - Life in a Union CampDuring our visit they were showing life during the Civil War in Wisconsin at Crossroads Village, including this camp of Union Soldiers. Photo by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.
During our visit, they were showing life during the Civil War in Wisconsin at Crossroads Village, including this camp of Union Soldiers.
Old World Wisconsin - Life in a Union Camp 2That wool looked hot in August. Photo by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.
That wool looks hot for August
Old World Wisconsin - Life in a Union Camp 3Kathy captures this image of a barn in Crossroads Village beside the Union Camp.
Kathy captures this image of a barn in Crossroads Village beside the Union Camp.
Old World Wisconsin - Life in a Union Camp 4photo by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.
Life in a Union Camp
Old World Wisconsin -Life in a Union Camp-5Taking a break at the Union Camp at Crossroads Village. Photo by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.
Taking a break at the Union Camp at Crossroads Village.
Old World Wisconsin - Thomas General StoreThomas General Store at Old World Wisconsin's 1870s Crossroads Village. Photo by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.
Thomas General Store at Old World Wisconsin's 1870s Crossroads Village.
Old World Wisconsin - Thomas General Store-insideThomas General Store at Crossroads Village exhibits goods that were available in the 1870s. Photo by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.
Old World Wisconsin - Thomas General Store-inside-2Thomas General Store at 1870's Crossroads Village. Photo by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.
Old World Wisconsin - Thomas General Store-inside-enhancedAnother look at Thomas General Store at Crossroads Village. Lemon drop anyone? Photo by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.
Thomas General Store at Crossroads Village exhibits goods that were available in the 1870s. Lemon Drop anyone? Some of our personal favorites were the 1870s Crossroads Village where you'll find costumed interpreters telling about life as an Irish laundress, Welsh shopkeeper, Bohemian shoemaker, and more.
Old World Wisconsin - Life in a Union Camp-6Photo by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.
During our visit, they were also recreating some of Wisconsin's role in the Civil War, and they had Union troops camped here in the village displaying everyday life during the war.
Old World Wisconsin - Outside CookingPhoto by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.
Old World Wisconsin - Shooting CompetitionCivil War Soldiers in a shooting competition. Photo by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.
Civil War Soldiers in a shooting competition.
Old World Wisconsin - Union SoldierPhoto by Dave Alexander.
Old World Wisconsin - Drummer BoyA Union drummer boy plays as the soldiers break down camp at Cross Roads Village - Photo by Dave Alexander.
A Union drummer boy plays as the soldiers break down camp at Cross Roads Village
Old World Wisconsin -Cavalry Wagon BarnBarn at Crossroads Village being used by Union Soldiers during re-enactments of Civil War life in Wisconsin. Photo by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.
Barn at Crossroads Village being used by Union Soldiers during re-enactments of Civil War life in Wisconsin.
Old World Wisconsin - Cavalry WagonPhoto by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.
Old World Wisconsin - Union Cannon-2A cannon demonstration at Crossroads Village. Photo by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.
Old World Wisconsin - Union CannonA cannon demonstration at Crossroads Village. Photo by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.
A cannon demonstration at Crossroads Village.
Old World Wisconsin - Marching OutAfter breaking up camp, Union soldiers marching out of Crossroads Village. Photo by Dave Alexander.
Old World Wisconsin -Soldiers MarchOn the march out of Crossroads Village. Photo by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.
After breaking up camp, Union soldiers marching out of Crossroads Village.
Old World Wisconsin - Marching OutUnion soldiers marching out of Crossroads Village. Photo by Dave Alexander.
Old World Wisconsin - Finnish Ketola Farm-2The Ketola Farm is a Finnish farm based around 1915. Photo by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.
The Ketola Farm is a Finnish farm based around 1915.
Old World Wisconsin - Sisel Shoe ShopShoe Shop in Crossroads Village. Photo by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.
Shoe Shop in Crossroads Village.
Old World Wisconsin - Raspberry SchoolPhoto by Dave Alexander
Raspberry School
Old World Wisconsin - Raspberry School TeacherPhoto by Kathy Weiser-Alexander
Another favorite was the Raspberry One Room School House brought down from around Lake Superior. Representing the late 19th century, the "teacher" will tell you how it was quite hard to keep an instructor there for more than just a few months, and how short-lived the school was.
Old World Wisconsin - Raspberry School-booksPhoto by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.
Old World Wisconsin - Finish Ketola FarmThe 1915 Finish Ketola Farm was owned by Heikki Ketola, who purchased the land back in the late 1800s. Photo by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.
The 1915 Finish Ketola Farm was owned by Heikki Ketola, who purchased the land back in the late 1800s.
Old World Wisconsin - Finish Ketola Farm BarnThe Ketola farm was a dairy operation around the turn of the 20th Century in Wisconsin. Photo by Dave Alexander.
The Ketola farm was a dairy operation around the turn of the 20th Century.
Old World Wisconsin -Squirrel Turnip Soup at Norwegian FarmRepresenting a time around 1840, Norwegian pioneers, like many others, enjoyed squirrel with fresh vegetables boiled in a pot over a campfire. At the Fossebrekke Farm. Photo by Dave Alexander.
Representing a time around 1840, Norwegian pioneers, like many others, enjoyed squirrel with fresh vegetables boiled in a pot over a campfire. At the Fossebrekke Farm we found some Squirrel Turnip Soup.
Old World Wisconsin -Norwegian Area- Sandhill CranesRan into more Sandhill cranes at the early 1900s Baseball field near the Norwegian area. Photo by Dave Alexander.
Ran into more Sandhill cranes at the early 1900s Baseball field near the Norwegian area.
Old World Wisconsin -German House Rocking HorseA rocking horse on display in the German home. Photo by Dave Alexander.
A rocking horse on display in the German home.
Old World Wisconsin - Civil War Surgeon Medicine BagA Civil War surgeon's medicine bag, photo by Dave Alexander.
A Civil War surgeon's medicine bag
Old World Wisconsin - Civil War Surgeon ArmsA display of just how bad it was without modern medicine during the Civil War. Photo by Dave Alexander.
A display of just how bad it was without modern medicine during the Civil War.
Old World Wisconsin - German Village FencesFences of a time long ago (1800s) at the German Village. Photo by Dave Alexander.
Fences of a time long ago (1800s) at the German Village.
Old World Wisconsin - Soldier Preparing SaddleA Union Soldier prepares a saddle at Crossroads Village. Photo by Dave Alexander.
A Union Soldier prepares a saddle at Crossroads Village.
Old World Wisconsin - BaseballThe early 1900s Baseball Field. Photo by Dave Alexander.
The early 1900s Baseball Field.
Old World Wisconsin - Fossebrekke Farm RockGranite marker just outside the Fossebrekke Farm (Norwegian) display. Photo by Dave Alexander.
Granite marker just outside the Fossebrekke Farm (Norwegian) display.
Old World Wisconsin - Civil War SurgeonA reenactor explains life as a Civil War Surgeon. Photo by Dave Alexander.
A reenactor explains life as a Civil War Surgeon.
Old World Wisconsin - High Wheeler MakerCome take a ride on a High Wheeler. Photo by Dave Alexander.
Come take a ride on a High Wheeler. They let you here.
Old World Wisconsin - Civil War Cannon OperatorsMembers of the Buena Vista Battery-North, 6th Wis. Light Artillery, Vaiden's Battery - South, 1st Mississippi, Battery L; explaining the Civil War cannon and variations of size used during the war. Photo by Dave Alexander.
Members of the Buena Vista Battery-North, 6th Wis. Light Artillery, Vaiden's Battery - South, 1st Mississippi, Battery L; explaining the Civil War cannon and variations of size used during the war.
Old World Wisconsin - Civil War Surgeon TableThe surgeon's table at Crossroads Village. Looks like we're gonna need that Laudanum. Photo by Dave Alexander.
The surgeon's table at Crossroads Village. Looks like we're gonna need that Laudanum.
Old World Wisconsin - Raspberry School - ChocolateA box of chocolate found at the Raspberry School House is from Walter Baker & Company, the oldest producer of Chocolates in the United States. The company got its start in the 1760's, and under the Baker Chocolate name from 1780. The company went through several owners over the centuries, but eventually became part of Kraft Foods in 1995. Photo by Dave Alexander.
A box of chocolate found at the Raspberry School House is from Walter Baker & Company, the oldest producer of Chocolates in the United States.
We regretted that we had only 3 hours to tour Old World before it closed for the day. Most definitely allow for at least 4 hours if not the day. Spread over a large area, you can walk from exhibit to exhibit, or catch one of several trams that will drop you off. From General Stores to shoe shops, and barns; wheel makers to bread bakers and historic breeds of animals, even baseball. This museum has something for the entire family to enjoy, and different themes during its open season beginning in late April. Find out more via their official website, and see our article HERE.
See our Old World Wisconsin Photo Gallery from our Visit in August 2014
Also See:
When Wisconsin Was Discovered
Wisconsin - The Badger State
While in this area we stayed at the Rome River Campground and RV Park. We could have stayed in the Kettle Moraine State Park, but they didn't have any spots with hookups left. This second choice was not bad though. Rome is a very small town with a simple General Store (for sale during our visit) right by the campground. But there are larger towns nearby for more groceries, etc. Management was great, wifi was good when it worked (they had some known issues while we were there with their router). AT&T data coverage, while showing solid on the coverage map, was spotty at the campground.
Kathy & Dave
