Welcome to
Old World Foundation
During this Season of Giving, we need your continued support to preserve the valuable stories, conserve heritage breed animals, protect heirloom plants, preserve historic buildings, and expand hands-on programs, ensuring that more children can experience the beauty and the lessons of the past. We will be able to achieve our vision with your support. We wish you a festive holiday season with joy throughout the coming year! Thank you!
Read our Year End Letter!
Join Us!
We are an independent non-profit that supports projects and programs at Old World Wisconsin, and we invite you to join us.
The Power of YOU!
Old World Foundation exists to fill the funding gap between what Old World Wisconsin receives in state support and earned revenue, and what is needed to preserve the buildings, care for the animals, plant the gardens, educate children, and enhance the overall guest experience.
Our Friends and Partners provide this support. We invite you to read our most recent Annual Gratitude Report.
Download ReportOld World Foundation (OWF)
OWF is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
OWF supports projects and programs at Old World Wisconsin. We call our supporters Friends of Old World.
Since its founding in 1984, with help from our supporters, Old World Foundation has provided $10 million in gifts that have given visitors a meaningful and memorable experience at Old World Wisconsin while preserving this treasured historic site.
Old World Wisconsin is a state historic site, administered by the Wisconsin Historical Society. Private support is crucial to providing items outside of the site's operating budget that would otherwise go unfunded. Thanks to you, Old World Foundation has funded projects and programs such as: the heritage breed animal program, heirloom gardens, historic building preservation, school field trip subsidies, collection items for guests to use and enjoy, marketing materials, and special events.
Thank you for your support!
See why it is so important to become a Friend through Old World Foundation.
OWF Thanks
Our 2025 Annual Sponsors
Their annual support helps sustain Old World Foundation.
Associated Bank
Thelen Total Construction
We Value their Support
It assists us in fulfilling our mission of support for Old World Wisconsin.