This summer, Old World Wisconsin is celebrating its 50th season! This exciting season kicks off with a new Welcome Center, more programming all summer, and exciting events like a big Independence Day Weekend celebration. If you’re still figuring out where to spend the holiday, this might be it. Read on to discover what makes this year special, what’s new, and what to know before the Fourth!
What Makes This Year So Special
Old World Wisconsin is a fan-favorite historic site, and it’s easy to see why! Here, history isn’t something you just look at; it’s something you do. Cook, make crafts, try your hand at historic chores, and play (adults too!).
Work in the blacksmith shop, hang out with the heritage breed farm animals, check out the heirloom plants in the gardens, spin and dye wool, knead bread, collect eggs, try on wooden shoes, ride a high-wheel tricycle, and grab a beer at the Brewhouse. It’s hands-on, interactive, and totally immersive!
For half a century, visitors have been transported into the 1800s to experience 19th-century living. You meet the people, walk through their homes, and get a sense of what daily life was like. This special anniversary celebrates that tradition, and gives you a sneak peek at what’s coming next!
What’s New This Season
This year, Old World Wisconsin has some big updates that make the visit even better! From a brand-new guest Welcome Center to added programming, there’s so much more to do and see—plus behind-the-scenes tours that let you explore parts of the site you don’t usually get to see!
Welcome Center
First up: the brand-new Welcome Center. Located at the entrance of Old World Wisconsin, the Welcome Center officially opens on July 3rd and is part of a five-year project to update and evolve the guest arrival experience at the historic site. It’s made up of two buildings connected by an open-air plaza, and it’s the new entrance and exit for all visitors.
Inside, you’ll find upgraded restrooms, water bottle filling stations, visitor information and ticketing areas, a new museum store, and a tram stop that takes you all around the site. With updates to the Clausing Cafe and additions of the Brewhouse Experience and Wittnebel’s Tavern, Old World Wisconsin has elevated its food and beverage offerings, too, making it a go-to social hub!
New Experiences
They’ve also added even more programming throughout the season, including exciting events and hands-on activities. Without a doubt, at Old World Wisconsin, you’ll always find new ways to dive into history and make your visit even more memorable!
One of the most memorable things to do? A behind-the-scenes tour! For the first time, the locks are off, and visitors can explore the nooks, crannies, and hidden wonders of this historic site during this exciting 50th anniversary experience.
What to Know Before the Fourth
It’s time to mark your calendar for this year’s lineup of exciting events! One of the can’t-miss events of the year is Independence Day Weekend, July 3rd through the 5th. Old World Wisconsin is marking its 50th birthday and America’s 250th birthday with a grand, three-day star-spangled celebration!
The fun kicks off July 3rd with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the new Welcome Center. You’ll also get to see a special exhibition, “Making of Old World Wisconsin,” at the Lueskow House!
And on July 4th and 5th, there’s even more in store! These two days are full of old-fashioned fun, from daily parades and readings of the Declaration of Independence to historic Base Ball games, ice cream making, and pie-eating contests. A special limited edition 50th anniversary beer, Old World Wisconsin Gold, will also be available to purchase, while supplies last!
This is the biggest celebration of the season—and really the ultimate combination of holiday fun and history! So, be sure to plan ahead and grab your tickets early! To make it easy, simply click here and book your tickets today.
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Old World Wisconsin invites you to travel back in time and celebrate a half-century of preserving Wisconsin’s heritage this summer! Exciting events run all season long, but Fourth of July weekend is the big one, featuring parades, historic games, and new exhibits you won’t want to miss. We will see you there!
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Hailey Marien: Writer for Discover Mediaworks. A born & bred Wisconsinite with a love for fishing, hunting, and enjoying the great outdoors.
