Opening day is Saturday, May 25, 2024!!!

Regular hours: Tuesday - Sunday, 10 am - 4 pm, Closed Mondays

Adults and Kids over 13 $10 Children 6-13 $3 Children 5 and under Free

Accessible and Inclusive

We are a Blue Star Museum with free admission for Active Military and their families

Gift Shop 

Smoke Free - Indoor and Outdoor Exhibits

Bus and large group tours welcome by appointment. Groups of 25+ who book with full payment at least 2 weeks in advance receive a 10% discount mid-May through mid-October 2024

School groups welcome as well with special pricing

Please direct group tour inquiries to admin@swisshistoricalvillage.org

Immerse Yourself in Immigrant History at Our Detailed Replica of an 1850 Swiss Settlement 

Get a glimpse of Swiss pioneer life while exploring each of our 14 artifact-filled Swiss Historical Village buildings, including a settler's cabin, collectibles shop, school, blacksmith, farm implement, bee house, church and more. Each building – some replicas, some incredible original structures  –  have rich layers of period furnishings, tools, implements, books and textiles once used in everyday Swiss-settlement life. You will leave the Swiss Historical Village with a complete understanding of how these brave immigrants lived and worked.  

Swiss Historical Village Cemetery

Collection Highlights

  • Gravestones of some of the colony's founding members

  • One room cabin built by pioneers in the 1850s that was found in a local farmhouse

  • Entire print shop from local newspaper that produced newspapers starting in 1897

  • 1902 ladder rig and hose cart once pulled by a team of running volunteer firemen

  • Hall of History detailing immigration of the Swiss to New Glarus and efforts to preserve our traditions while becoming part of America

  • Cheese Factory with old copper cheese-making pots and equipment

  • One-room Country School House

  • Old Log Church

  • Bee Haus, Smoke Haus, Sausage Shop, and MORE!

Swiss Dancers

New Glarus Attractions

While you are in New Glarus, be sure to check out the other local historic and cultural Swiss fun, including festivals like Heidi Fest and Wilhelm Tell Festival, music, museums, cultural centers, shopping, and authentic Swiss restaurants and lodging. 

Visit the New Glarus Chamber & Tourist Info website for all the options.

swisstown.com
(800) 527-6838 | (608) 527-2095
info@swisstown.com

 
Blue Star Museum Logo

Tours

Self-guided tours are always available and docent led tours are available on some days of the week. Docent led tours take approximately 75 minutes. The docent tours are continuous, and you can join them at any point.

For self-guided tours, we provide a written guide to the buildings and their contents and you can explore the buildings and grounds at your own pace.

Please note that pets are not allowed on the grounds of the museum, unless the animal is a trained/registered service support animal for a person with disabilities. 

Map & Driving Directions

 

New Glarus is about 25 minutes southwest of Madison, WI, on Highway 69.

The Swiss Historical Village is on the west side of New Glarus, along Highway 39. If entering New Glarus from Highway 69, go eight blocks west (on 6th Ave) and the museum will be on your left. Go around the block -- the entrance is on the south side at 612 7th Ave. There is a parking lot adjacent to the museum.

If traveling from the Chicago area, the easiest route is to exit I-90 at Beloit, take Highway 81 west to Monroe and then Highway 69 north to New Glarus.