Supporting Old World Wisconsin With Stewardship And Integrity Since 1984,
Thanks to YOU!
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In this issue:
- A look back at our Chair's Challenge / Sunset Soiree from 2019-2024
- Old World Wisconsin's Outreach Program
- Independence Days --Celebrate America's Birthday at OWW
- Classifieds--New Wooden Shoes Needed
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Preparing for our 7th Annual Fundraiser by Looking Back at
YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT!
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Each year since 2019, the Chair of the Old World Foundation Board of Trustees has chosen a project or program to highlight based on the needs of Old World Wisconsin. Our Chair then challenges our supporters to raise money to fund that project or program. Our Sunset Soiree is a night of celebration to thank those who donate $250 or more to the chosen project or program.
Over the past 7 years, we have raised over $245,880 from this fundraiser THANKS TO YOU!
Our 2025 fundraising theme will be announced the week of June 16 in mailed invitations to give, in our newsletter, and through social media, so stay tuned.
We invite you to again make a direct impact at Old World Wisconsin through your gift to our Chair's Challenge campaign that will end with Sunset Soiree on August 23.
We are pleased to share the impact of your support of previous Chair's Challenge /Sunset Soiree fundraisers:
| | 2019 Sunset Soiree...an enchanted evening celebrating Historic Restoration at Old World Wisconsin
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This was our first Sunset Soiree and we raised over $42,000 to paint the exterior of Clausing Barn.
Our thanks to Neal Aspinall for designing the artwork for the first 4 Sunset Soiree fundraisers in addition to the Sunset Soiree logo.
| | | 2020 Sunset Soiree...an enchanted evening celebrating children's programming at Old World Wisconsin
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Because this was during the pandemic, we raised almost $35,000 without holding an in-person event and Old World Wisconsin used the majority of the funds to create virtual school programs. These programs were free and allowed teachers and students from across the state (and even other states) to "visit" Old World Wisconsin and learn about how immigrants settled in Wisconsin.
| | | | Education remains an important mission for Old World Wisconsin and in addition to on-site field trips, they offer Outreach Programs in the winter months that brings Old World Wisconsin to schools, assisted living communities and other community spaces. | |
Old World Wisconsin's winter Outreach Facilitator, Donna, shared some information about this program:
"I have had the wonderful opportunity to work as one of the Outreach Program facilitators this past winter. I visited libraries, school classrooms and after school programs encompassing adults, young adults and children.
I love watching the wonder in the children’s eyes as I open my trunk of collection items. It is my goal to give them the opportunity to wonder what this life would be like back in the 1880’s. The emotions of the families, as they leave their homelands, to travel on ships to arrive in an unfamiliar new world called America. I love to role play during this so that they can connect with the family’s trunk that I’m working with. Another way to connect is with a picture of families and their house here at Old World. We also give people in the audience the chance to touch the items and give me their thoughts on what this item is. This is a learning experience on both our parts, mostly to see how they can relate to items that are currently in use.
In ending, my experience was a joy to teach people about history, to learn from the audience and bring on the smiles that I love to see."
Thank you, Donna, for sharing your insights about this popular program!
| | 2021 Sunset Soiree...an enchanted evening celebrating Brewing Traditions at Old World Wisconsin
| | | | This Chair's Challenge raised over $45,000 to furnish the Brewhouse. Your donations purchased farmhouse tables and benches, a brewhouse cooler, a kegerator, fans, and fermenters, AND a 1929 Ford Model AA "Beer Delivery" Truck! | | |
2022 Sunset Soiree...an enchanted evening celebrating tavern restoration with kindred spirits at
Old World Wisconsin
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The Wittnebel's Tavern is now OPEN!
Over $43,000 was raised to furnish the tavern. This historic building from 1906 was relocated from Old Ashippun to OWW and restored to its 1930's appearance. Thanks to those who donated, the tavern is now complete and open, along with the Biergarten.
Your support purchased items such as an antique radio, records, period clothing, posters, audio clips, interpretive panels, and beautiful handmade tables. Your donations along with the facilitators really bring the building to life...thank you!
| | | | A Special Thank You to one of the OWF Trustees who donated to purchase this beautiful cash register! | |  | | | 2023 Sunset Soiree...an enchanted evening celebrating the conservation of heritage breeds at Old World Wisconsin
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This fundraiser celebrated the animal lovers. Thanks to you, we raised almost $44,000 for the animal program at Old World Wisconsin.
The new Animal Encounters opened that showcases the heritage breeds at OWW and teaches guests about the importance of conserving these rare breeds.
Your support purchased a much needed chicken coop to keep the chickens safe and comfortable, provided animal enrichment supplies, built a ramp at the Loomer Barn and paid for veterinary care, feed and other supplies.
The chickens used the coop all winter and now they are back on site. OWW was able to put the breeding pair in the coop and successfully hatched out 4 chicks this year. It has definitely gotten a lot of use!
Our former graphic arts intern, Kaitlyn McNamara created this beautiful artwork.
| | | 2024 Sunset Soiree...an enchanted evening celebrating a new vision for Black History at Old World Wisconsin
| | Old World Wisconsin opened in 1976 as a living history museum that shared stories of settlers who came to Wisconsin. There are many culturally diverse stories to be told. Enslaved and free African and African Americans lived, worked, and built community in Wisconsin. Old World Wisconsin is now revisiting an initial vision by historian Zachary Cooper to share experiences of Black settlers who lived in Wisconsin, including the Pleasant Ridge community in Grant County's Beetown Township. This rural community is well-documented thanks to Olive Green Lewis who preserved their history. | | | | |
This Sunset Soiree highlighted the history of the Pleasant Ridge area of Old World Wisconsin.
Thanks to you, we raised nearly $36,000 to enhance the story of Pleasant Ridge. Old World Wisconsin is currently in the process of researching the best ways to share the stories of the residents of this community as well as share other stories related to black history elsewhere on site.
This year, they commemorated Decoration Day, the precursor to Memorial Day. Decoration Day was historically held on May 30th to honor those who died in the Civil War. OWW held activities at the recreated Pleasant Ridge cemetery, which features 4 Civil War veterans.
Also during the event, one of the talented facilitators baked the authentic carrot pudding recipe from Ollie Green Lewis’s Cookbook. Ollie Green Lewis was the unofficial historian of Pleasant Ridge, the first integrated community in Wisconsin.
Thank you for your support!
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Our thanks to DeYounte Ramsey for designing our 2024 artwork.
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So...what will our Chair's Challenge be this year? We will be announcing the focus of our fundraiser the week of June 16.
SAVE the DATE for Sunset Soiree on August 23.
| | If you have never attended Sunset Soiree, watch our short video to see what you're missing. | | Since 1984, Old World Foundation has been raising money to support the heritage breed animals, heirloom gardens, historic buildings, and education/public programs, and now the New Arrivals Campaign at Old World Wisconsin too. If you have any questions about how your support impacts Old World Wisconsin, let us know. We would be happy to talk to you! | | | | |
Make your plans now to attend Independence Days at Old World Wisconsin on July 4 & 5.
Sponsored by Old World Foundation thanks to our donors!
"Base ball", pie, and other red, white, and blue delights—come celebrate America’s birthday at Old World Wisconsin! Suit up in your best patriotic gear and head to the Crossroads Village for an unforgettable Independence Day Weekend full of food, games, music, performances and more. Join a spelling bee, churn your own butter, watch (or deck out your stroller and take part in) a children’s parade, and enter our famous pie-eating event for a little healthy—or should we say sweet—competition.
Visit the Old World Wisconsin Website for more information:
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As you know, your support is crucial to enhance programs and complete projects at Old World Wisconsin. Donations of any size can be combined to make a large impact at OWW.
We have created a classified section here that will list lower cost items needed by various program areas at OWW. You will be able to donate to purchase specific items if you wish and smaller donation can be combined to enhance your impact.
Today, you can make an impact by donating to purchase wooden shoes to replace worn out or cracked wooden shoes at the 1880’s Pomeranian Immigrant Farm at Old World Wisconsin. These shoes are a key activity to the experience on the back porch of the house. Guests use the shoes to help with chores across the farm to experience what some European Farmers used as work shoes. In acquiring new shoes, they are looking to expand the range of sizes available for guests specifically in the children’s wooden shoe sizes. OWW needs 7-10 pairs of shoes and each pair costs between $30-$50 depending on the size.
Below are the pictured items needed. If the item has already been funded, the donation will be used for another needed item in the same program.
Thank you for your consideration!
| | THANK YOU to the Old World Foundation Annual Sponsors: | |
Did you know that Old World Foundation can accept a wide variety of assets on behalf of Old World Wisconsin? These include stock, real estate, retirement accounts, and life insurance. These options may offer substantial tax benefits and flexibility. Talk with your financial advisor for advice on how to best achieve your philanthropic goals with your diverse assets.
Visit our website for more information: OWF Planned Giving Page
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