The Swiss Historical Village will help launch New Glarus’ 175+1 anniversary weekend with a book signing by Duane Freitag from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 30.

Freitag’s book, “A Common Treasure,” details the first ten years of the Swiss Colony of New Glarus. It was published in 2020 in advance of the original plans for the 175th anniversary that were canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Freitag, a retired journalist who lives in Greendale, grew up in New Glarus and has written a number of books and pamphlets about the history of the community. He has been a museum tour guide and served on the board of directors of the New Glarus Historical Society.

Freitag will be at the Historical Village gift shop where hard bound copies of the book will be sold at a special reduced rate of $20 that weekend. The book makes an ideal gift for friends or relatives interested in the story of New Glarus and the sale provides an opportunity for anniversary celebration visitors to obtain a signed copy.

The gift shop also is now selling copies of a new translation of pioneer Joshua Wild’s diary about the early years of New Glarus. The book was produced by August Berlinger, of Canton Glarus, Switzerland, for the anniversary celebration.