Camp at Old World!

Days in June, July, & August
Various Days | 10 AM – 3 PM

From apprenticing under Old World craftsmen to creating 19th-century souvenirs and more, there’s no shortage of special summer camp experiences at Old World Wisconsin this season! See what awaits beyond the gates today.

Camp at Old World!

Days in June, July, & August
Various Days | 10 AM – 3 PM

From apprenticing under Old World craftsmen to creating 19th-century souvenirs and more, there’s no shortage of special summer camp experiences at Old World Wisconsin this season! See what awaits beyond the gates today.

Travel Through Time and the Stories of America’s Heartland

Experience the world of Wisconsin’s early immigrants at Old World Wisconsin.  Step into the daily lives of the people who called this world home as you help with chores and cooking, try your hand at crafts and trades, and play – yes, even the grown-ups! Lend a hand in the blacksmith shop, say hi to the farm animals, look at veggies in the gardens, dye and spin wool, knead bread, collect chicken eggs, try on wooden shoes, ride high-wheel tricycles, and sample tasty beer in the Brewhouse. This is where history comes alive! 

Kids Out and About at Old World Wisconsin

Thanks to your votes, for the past 2 years Old World Wisconsin has continuously been placed on the Top 20 Places to Take Kids list by Milwaukee Kids Out and About! Come see what all the fun is about!

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Members Get Free Admission!

Become a Wisconsin Historical Society member and visit all 12 of our historic sites for free! Membership pays for itself in as little as two visits and includes other great benefits like discounts and reciprocal benefits to more than 1,200 organizations.


MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Make Your Next Event Historic

Old World Wisconsin’s picturesque settings for a rustic Wisconsin wedding or a unique private event offer plentiful opportunities for a historic event. Make your day historic and create a story that will be remembered for generations.

The five fermentation vats (one for each day of brewing during the summer season) and kegs shown as equipment is moved into the new Brewhouse at Old World Wisconsin in preparation for the June 2022 grand opening events. Taken 2.24.22 by Dan Freas

The Brewhouse

Now Open!

From large breweries to corner bars, big labels to modern microbrews, beermaking is a huge part of Wisconsin’s culture and heritage.

What more could you want!?

“What more could you want!? I loved coming here as a kid and still enjoy it as an adult.
There’s animals, history, and nature.”

Kelly L.



NEW ARRIVALS: A CAMPAIGN

A newly constructed Brewing Experience building, combined with relocated historic Wittnebel’s Tavern and a festive outdoor Beer Garden, will allow Old World Wisconsin guests to celebrate Wisconsin’s brewing traditions like never before.

CREATING AN IMMERSIVE WELCOME EXPERIENCE AT OLD WORLD WISCONSIN

The Brewhouse at Old World Wisconsin is the first structure completed as part of a $5.5 million project that represents the first two phases of a larger, multi-year master plan by the Wisconsin Historical Society to transform the site’s entry area with a reimagined Welcome Experience.


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Old World Wisconsin

Old World Wisconsin

25,082

Experience the world of early immigrants at Old World Wisconsin, where history comes alive!

We're very thankful that we have such an amazing veterinary team to support our animals here at Old World Wisconsin! Pete the ox says thank you! ... See MoreSee Less

2 days ago

Comment on Facebook

I drove by their pasture along Hwy 67 today and saw them both just hanging out. ❤️

John Anderson

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

So happy Pete is going to be better! I loved talking to him at the Schulz House! Is Charlie still around?

Pete make sure to put the tooth under your pillow so the Tooth Fairy can come!!!

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In preparation for the 2024 season, our collections team had a busy week moving hundreds of collection items including furniture, textiles, decor pieces and more, between the buildings on site and our collection storage buildings!

We are creating some brand new experiences this season, and that requires our team to be creative with what artifacts are on display!

Bonus picture is a behind the scenes look inside one of our storage buildings.
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5 days ago

Comment on Facebook

BIG job! Looks great, and hope for some warmer weather!

Wisconsin Historical Society Acquires Al. Ringling Theatre

Historic Baraboo theatre will become an extension of the Society’s Circus World operations and continue to serve as a home for the local and regional arts

Madison, WI—The Wisconsin Historical Society will acquire the Al. Ringling Theatre in Baraboo, Wis., after working with the Al. Ringling Theatre Friends, Inc., to secure $3.07 million from community donors to ensure the long-term future of the beloved regional theatre. The 700-seat theatre was built in 1915 by Al Ringling, co-founder with his brothers of the world-renowned Ringling Brothers Circus, and designed in the opulent style of grand French opera houses. Ringling built the theatre for the Baraboo community in a show of appreciation for the town that the Ringling Brothers called home and the original site of the Ringling Bros. Circus winter quarters. Through the years, the theatre has hosted national touring companies, vaudeville, motion pictures and more, bringing performing arts and culture to Baraboo and the greater South-Central Wisconsin region.

“The Al. Ringling Theatre is one of the first examples of opulent design applied to the moving picture theatre in this country and it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in May 1976,” said Christian Overland, the Ruth & Hartley Barker Director and CEO of the Wisconsin Historical Society. “It is an architectural masterpiece that puts Wisconsin within the broader context of the history of the United States. Acquiring the Al. to operate with the rest of the Society’s historic sites is a natural tie to our mission of connecting people to history by sharing stories and serving communities throughout our great state. We are grateful for the incredible support from the people of Baraboo—a place that is rich with history and a community where the Society has strong roots already with Circus World.”

Discussions for a change in ownership began in July 2022. The Society completed a feasibility study in February 2023 and outlined a potential model in which the theatre would become an extension of Circus World operations, which is one of 12 historic sites in the Society’s portfolio. The plan required $3.07 million in private support for facility improvements, transition costs and an operating endowment. That fundraising goal was met earlier this month and the endowment funds will be held by the Community Foundation of South Central Wisconsin.

“We are overwhelmed by the generosity of the Baraboo community members who stepped up to ensure the legacy of Al Ringling’s gift to this town can live for generations to come,” said Charlene Flygt, president of Al. Ringling Theatre Friends, Inc.

The Society’s Board of Curator’s voted to approve the theater acquisition on March 15, 2024. Programming is expected to ramp up slowly to ensure a sustainable transition and a technical director will be hired to oversee onsite operations.

“The Society is committed to preserving and celebrating the origins of America’s circus history, and to ensuring that the Al. remains a vibrant home to the local and regional performing arts, and community organizations that call the Al. Home,” said Circus World Director Scott O’Donnell.

As the Society works toward realizing the 10-year future vision for continued growth at Circus World, the acquisition of the Al. Ringling Theatre underscores its commitment to the Baraboo community and surrounding region. Circus performances will continue to take place under the big top on Circus World grounds, while the theater will host regional performing arts programming as well as private events and community programs including Concerts on the Square, Baraboo Theatre Guild and high school productions, dance recitals, Downtown Baraboo Inc. holiday events and more.

“This is the outcome that we wanted to see to secure the long-term future of the Al.—it’s a win for Baraboo, a win for the regional arts community and a win for historic preservation in Wisconsin,” said Paul Wolter, Vice President of the Al. Ringling Theatre Friends, Inc. “The theatre will now benefit from the Society’s resources, operating infrastructure and expertise.”

Watch for upcoming show announcements and follow along as we grow! Our sincerest gratitude to all who worked to make this happen, and to our amazing local donors whose generosity in support of the arts will allow the AL. Ringling Theatre to shine brightly.
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1 week ago

Comment on Facebook

Been there~it’s truly a Treasure and I was so happy to read if this act of preservation. More people should see it, and perhaps this will cause that to happen!

Candice Winkelman Genrich