Life on the Farm

Plan a visit to Old World Wisconsin, this summer, to experience Life on the Farm--in 19th Century style!  Costumed interpreters will introduce visitors to the Kruegers who emigrated from Pomerania to Dodge County, Wisconsin in 1851. In addition to meeting the family, visitors will be able to lend a hand to some of the daily farm chores.

The Kruegers carefully documented their farm experience in photos, assorted papers, and stories.  Today, that collection of materials is maintained by the Wisconsin Historical Society Archives.  The family’s story has also been chronicled in the book Six Generations Here: A Farm Family Remembers by Marjorie L. McLellan, Wright State University.  Find the book in campus libraries.

Explore online and plan your visit to Old World Wisconsin.

Creating DairyLand, Book Talk (Dec 5)

Learn how and why Wisconsin became a dairy state when Steenbock Library welcomes author Edward Janus for a special book presentation, December 5, 2011. In his new title, Creating DairyLand, Mr. Janus examines how the history of ideas and the reality of resource degradation would serve to transform the practice of agriculture in the state, or, in other words, show "how caring for cows saved our soil, created our landscape, brought prosperity to our state and still shapes our way of life in Wisconsin."

In addition to recounting this dairying revolution, the author shares stories and photos of contemporary practitioners--dairy farmers and cheese-makers. There will be time for questions.

Author’s Website | Press Website | Read an excerpt

Date: Monday, December 5, 2011
Time: 1:00-2:15 PM
Place: Room 340 (third floor), Steenbock Library, 550 Babcock Drive

Visitor Information | Parking

This event is free; the library welcomes faculty, staff, students and the community to attend.

Print a flyer (PDF)

Odd Wisconsin

If you have ever thought Wisconsin to be a curious place (as I often do), then the new exhibit opening at the Wisconsin Historical Society Museum (on the Capitol Square) is for you!

The Odd Wisconsin exhibit features a collection of Wisconsin artifacts and fifty displays exploring the history—from college pranks to spiritualist séances—engaged in by its residents.

Take a sneak peek at what you will see!

The exhibit opens October 3.

Museum location: 30 N. Carroll Street on the Capitol Square
Museum hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Admission: adults ($4.00); children ($3.00); families ($10.00)

And, of extra note, the museum is planning some fun tie-ins with Halloween week (see the Calendar of Events).

Additionally, keep up-to-date on Odd Wisconsin with its blog. There is also a book, authored by Erika Janik, available from the Wisconsin Historical Society Press and area public libraries.

Heirloom Gardens Symposium (September 6)

Old World Wisconsin will host a symposium devoted to gardening with heirloom plant varieties, Saturday, September 6, 2008. Speakers for this event include Dick Zondag (president of Jung Seed Co.), Lee Somerville (horticulturist and historian) and Shelley Ryan (host of WPT’s The Wisconsin Gardener). Participants will also enjoy a tram tour to selected heirloom gardens at the site.

Tickets for this day-long event (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM) cost $85.00 per person and reservations are required. Phone 262-594-6301 to reserve your space or submit a form online. Breakfast, lunch and additional refreshments are included.