Email: friends@friendsoww.org | Visit: oldworldfoundation.org

FEBRUARY 2026

What's New at OWW?

YOU make our hearts smile!

We are grateful for your impactful gifts that move us closer to a future where lessons of the past ignite curiosity, inspire learning, and foster a deeper understanding of our diverse cultural heritage.

Thank You and Happy Valentine's Day!

Construction Continued on the new Welcome Center...

We are excited that Old World Wisconsin is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of their opening this year. The Welcome Center will prepare them to welcome guests for the next 50 years.

We hope you make plans now to visit OWW this season and celebrate with us!

Here is a peek inside the new Welcome Center as construction continues this winter.

Donna (on the left) pictured with one of her friends at a "Tea" hosted by Old World Foundation several years ago.

Sherman and Donna Swanson

–Interview by Rosanne McGuire

Dr. Sherman and Mrs. Donna Swanson have been supporting Old World Wisconsin Foundation for over twenty years.

Donna attended classes at Old World—including one on tatting. The lacemaking art was something she had always wanted to learn. Donna’s seamstress work came to the attention of the Old World staff, who recruited her to repair the historic clothes worn by Old World interpreters. In keeping with history, Donna and the other seamstresses did all the repairs with hand-stitching, just like the women did in the mid-1800’s.

Sherman retired from his veterinary practice in 1998, and after raising two daughters, the two now have moved from their home near Big Bend to a senior living community in New Berlin.

Sherman and Donna both have fond memories of the special events at Old World, and loved the drive-through OWW held during Covid. Seeing the animals housed in their off-season facility was a treat—as most visitors never get to see that part of Old World Wisconsin.

They have fond memories of visits to Old World Wisconsin—and say giving to a worthy cause like the Old World Foundation has just become a habit.

Donna always enjoyed the school houses at Old World—and the old one-room schoolhouses were similar to the one Sherm attended in Walworth County in the 1940’s. She says the education programs that Old World staff provide are so important.

“Old World Wisconsin Foundation has just become our favorite charity,” says Donna, and Sherm agreed—"We will continue to give as long as we can!”

Our Thanks to Sherman and Donna

for their many years of support!

At the end of 2025, we were fortunate to receive grants from several foundations and organizations.

In December, we were invited to attend the Heart of Canal Street drawing hosted by Potawatomi Hotels and Casino, where we received a grant for $24,079.36.

This gift will be used to enhance accessibility for children at Old World Wisconsin.

Pictured (left to right):

Gwen Griffin OWF Executive Director

Doug Raney, OWW Director

Ron Buchholz, OWF Board Chair

At the end of 2025, we also received a generous grant from the Wispact Foundation for accessibility.

Generac awarded a grant for scholarships to the Maker's Camps (see below).

Standard Process renewed their commitment to creating accessible trails by giving a generous year-end gift.

The Maihaugen Foundation awarded funds to enhance Dairy Stories at Old World Wisconsin.

We are deeply grateful for this support and we will be highlighting these funders and the projects impacted through their generous support in the coming months.

Ode to the OWW Animals!!

Winter fun for the animals at OWW.

Even in winter, the animals at Old World Wisconsin are having fun. The animal care team keeps them busy with enrichment activities.

We are working on revising our Sponsor an Animal program for this year. Providing quality food and care for the rare breeds is costly and we are grateful to all those who sponsored an animal in 2025!

We will have more information to share about the animal program in future newsletters.

Thanks to a generous donation from Generac, Old World Wisconsin and Old World Foundation are offering 10 scholarships for our Makers Adventure Camp in 2026.

These camps enable youth to explore how STEM activities were used historically, igniting curiosity in this field. This scholarship is open to all, but geared towards those who may not be able to attend the camp without assistance.

See more details about the camp at https://oldworldwisconsin.wisconsinhistory.org/explore/summer-camps/ (Note: scholarship is only available for Makers Adventure day camp).

For more information about how to submit an application for a scholarship, visit:

https://oldworldfoundation.org/owf-news.html

DEADLINE – Friday, April 17th.

Applicants will be notified of scholarship decision by Friday, May 1st.

Campers can register and get reimbursed with a check (check can be mailed out in May, or given on day of camp, adult’s preference) OR they can wait to see if they received the scholarship and then register. Be aware, registration is currently open for the camp, so not all dates may be available if you wait to register.

You are Invited...

Our Friends are those who have made a donation to Old World Wisconsin through Old World Foundation this past year. We value this partnership and invite all our Friends to join us at our Friends Appreciation Day on Saturday, June 13, and our End of Year Celebration on Thursday, September 24.

These gatherings will give you the opportunity to meet our trustees and other friends, enjoy food & drinks, and get a peek behind the scenes.

More information will be available in the coming weeks, but we want you to mark your calendars now.

Also, our Chair's Challenge will be announced in mid-June with donors invited to our 8th annual Sunset Soiree on August 22. Watch for more information!