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

MARCH 2026

What's New at OWW?

Thank You!

We are LUCKY to have your support.

This will be an exciting year at Old World Wisconsin as they celebrate their 50th anniversary.

Thanks to you, we have been OWW's non-profit partner for 42 years. During the last 42 years, we have gifted over $10 million to them for various projects and program through grants, corporate partnerships and gifts from individuals like you.

We hope that you will be able to visit Old World Wisconsin this year to see the new visitors center and celebrate the past, present, and future of Old World Wisconsin.

Join Us for a Bunny Breakfast on March 28!

Old World Wisconsin is hopping into spring with its first-ever “Bunny Breakfast,” a special one-day event on Sunday, March 28. Held in the historic Clausing Barn, this pre-season event welcomes guests with a festive breakfast ahead of the living history attraction’s official opening in May – marking the start of its 50th anniversary season in 2026.

Guests will gather inside the Clausing Barn – a unique octagonal structure built in 1897 – for a delicious buffet featuring French toast, eggs, bacon, pastries, carrot cake and more. Kids, young and old, can have their photo taken with the Easter Bunny and meet Old World Wisconsin’s resident bunny, Sable, along with saying hello to some adorable sheep under the atrium of the soon to open Welcome Center.

Each guest will also receive a spring-themed cookie decorating kit to take home. The Easter Bunny photo opportunity is complimentary and sponsored by the Old World Wisconsin Foundation.

For More information or to Purchase Tickets, visit:

https://oldworldwisconsin.wisconsinhistory.org/upcoming-events/

Fish Fry Fridays Return to OWW!

OWW will have Fish Fry Fridays in May - every Friday 4pm-8pm - no paid entry, just come and enjoy Fish Fry in the Clausing Cafe and a drink in Wittnebel's Tavern. Then when they open for the season, they will have Fish Fry every Friday in the Cafe! YUM!

Also, the Cafe and Tavern will be open until 5:00 during the regular season

and the Gift Shop and Welcome Center will stay open until 5:30.

In addition to funding several outreach programs for Adult Day Services of Southeast Wisconsin, Old World Wisconsin will be purchasing portable ramps to provide accessibility to some of the historic buildings that are not fully accessible for all individuals.

We’re proud to announce that the Wispact Foundation has awarded Old World Wisconsin a Wispact Legacy Grant through Old World Foundation!

This grant is being used to improve accessibility at Old World Wisconsin AND it has brought history out in the community to Adult Day Services of Southeast Wisconsin.

The mission of the Wispact Foundation is to improve the quality of lives of persons with disabilities through partnerships with the disability services community.

Thanks to a Legacy Grant from the Wispact Foundation, even more visitors to

Old World Wisconsin will soon be able to experience history firsthand!

Ode to the OWW Animals!!

Ancona Ducks-are calm ducks that are excellent foragers and lay large white, cream or green eggs.

According to the Livestock Conservancy, "many of America’s once-common farm animals face extinction if we do not take action now. Rare farm animals represent an irreplaceable piece of earth’s biodiversity and offer incredible variety that may be needed for future farms – robust health, mothering instincts, foraging, and the ability to thrive in a changing climate. These farm animals are a vital part of ensuring food security for our planet – now and for the future."

Have you heard the news?

Old World Wisconsin is adding ducks to their heritage breed family!

Expected to arrive in June as ducklings, these will be a welcome addition to OWW's animal ambassador program.

We will share more information about these breeds in the coming months.

Cayuga-Recognized for stunning iridescent black, beetle-green plumage, these are very hardy and docile, often becoming good pets.

Welsh Harlequin-Known for high production, these birds can lay up to 300 eggs per year.

Sponsor an Animal

Old World Wisconsin is helping to conserve these rare breeds,

but providing the best care is expensive.

Please consider providing support by sponsoring a rare breed today!

Thanks to a generous donation from Generac, Old World Wisconsin and Old World Foundation are offering 10 scholarships for OWW's 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.

Our Friends...

those who support Old World Wisconsin with a gift through Old World Foundation,

Are Invited

to the following gatherings this year at Old World Wisconsin.

Please save the dates

and more information will be available in the coming months!

Friends Appreciation Day

Saturday, June 13...enjoy a day with your friends and get a peak "behind the scenes."

Sunset Soiree

Saturday evening, August 22...this annual fundraiser for OWW begins in June with our Chair's Challenge. Stay tuned for more information about this unique fundraising celebration!