Old World Wisconsin

I think I've mentioned before that my favorite time period was the 1800's.  So, when I discovered that Old World Wisconsin in Eagle, WI was a living history museum during this era, I was sooo excited to visit!  One of my other favorite living history museums is Conner Prairie in Fishers, Indiana.  We visited there last year in May: Conner Prairie.  When I was younger, our grade school took a trip there and I still vividly remember some parts of the visit!  Ironically, the assistant director at Conner Prairie came to Old World a couple years ago to be the director, so there's a similar feel to both places.  We got there at 10 am when they opened and left at 5 pm when they closed...and we still didn't get through everything!  We'll definitely go back, though.  There's so much to learn!

Looking at "Sam", their Percheron work horse, through the fence rails.

Using a tool to lift a burner plate off the wood stove.

Hailey walked up to me and whispered, "Mom, that lady is as tall as me!"

Coming up to the wagon shop.

Sitting on the porch of the wagon shop.

You see Hailey's surprise when Sam came up to greet them.  They weren't expecting him to put his head over the top of the fence!

Many different dry goods they sell at the general store...currants, apples, prunes, and raisins.

We got both the girls a coin to use at the general store...they both chose fans.  Hailey was so excited, because she loves these types of fans!

Clara paying for her fan.

We wouldn't let the girls open the fans until we got in the car, so here's a picture of Hailey playing with hers today.  It is all made out of carved wood.

Back in the 1800's, this was called a "Summerhouse", not a gazebo.

Sam must have followed us around the corner, because he was there waiting for a good scratch from the girls and Brian.

Learning to pound round wooden pegs into shoe holes (that would hold the shoes together) in the shoe shop.

Learning to polish silverware with another young visitor in the Four Mile House.

I loved this garden...it would be neat to visit it at the peak of harvest.

This little baby lamb was born on Friday.  So cute!

A picture of them through a fence rail.

Beautiful scenery.

Helping to pick Alpine strawberries.

Then putting them in her apron.

I thought how they made this fence was neat.  Just branches and posts.

This was the cooking kitchen used in the summer months.  Heating a wood stove in the main house would make it too hot inside.

Inside the interpreter was making brown sugar cookies and the girls got to help roll them up into a ball...

...and flatten them with a cup.

Taking a rest.

One of the big oxen in the German area.

I like how the coals lit up in this brick oven.

This is "line" extracted from the Flax plant, used to make linen.  It was surprising how soft it was!

Playing a traditional German game of the past, "Hit the Pot".  You turn around and close your eyes while the other person places the pot somewhere.  Then you use a wooden spoon and crawl around on your hands and knees until you hit the pot.  The other visitors enjoyed telling Hailey if she was "hot or cold".

Attempting to use an old lawn mower.

A little help from Daddy got things going.  I found this pretty fun to do!

Trying on some wooden shoes.

A new baby calf born a few days ago.

Looking for some eggs to collect.  When the interpreter opened the lid, a chicken was in there, and both the girls jumped back.  It was funny!

Washing a cloth the old way.

The One Room Schoolhouse.

The interpreter shows Hailey how to "card" the wool.

Here she spins it into yarn.

A rich brown color on this milking cow.

Another great garden.

Riding old bicycles!

Daddy took Clara for a ride.

My turn!

On this bike, Hailey would do all the pedaling and Clara would just ride.

Learning how to play with a Jacob's Ladder toy.