Current News
Learn What's New at Old World Foundation
What a busy summer it has been! In June...
Old World Foundation welcomed over 120 of our Friends to our annual Friends Appreciation Day. The day began with a delicious breakfast buffet in Clausing Barn and the unveiling of this year’s Chair’s Challenge, followed by an opportunity to meet OWW’s new animal ambassadors-ducklings! Our guests then had the opportunity to tour the Welcome Center, the Sanford House, and/or explore OWW on their own. We are grateful for the support of so many Friends!
Independence Day weekend began with a celebration in honor of Old World Wisconsin’s 50th anniversary season and a ribbon cutting for the new Welcome Center. It was a fantastic day to reminisce about the last 50 years while also thinking about the future.
As stated above, Old World Wisconsin has welcomed 3 ducklings to their animal ambassador program in June. These ducks (named Asiago, Cheddar and Winnie) will help spread the word about the heritage breeds that OWW is working to conserve. Asiago is an Ancona duck. Anconas are an American breed known for their plumage variation and calm temperaments. Cheddar is a Welsh Harlequin duck. Welsh Harlequins are known for being quiet and curious about the world around them. Winnie is a Cayuga duck. Originally developed in the Finger Lakes region of New York, Cayugas are known for their iridescent plumage, hardy nature, and unique eggs.
In July...
OWW has also welcomed three Arapawa goats- Georgia, Shenandoah and Marlie are critically endangered Arapawa goats that came to Old World Wisconsin from Conner Prairie and are now settling into their new home splendidly!
Arapawa goats (also known as Arapawa Island Goats) are a New Zealand goat breed whose origin is a bit of a mystery. Legend has it that they are descendants of the Old English Milking goats that were left on Arapawa Island to go feral by Captain James Cook during his expeditions in the 1760's. However, new genetic research suggests that the Arapawa comes from a currently unknown/unidentified South African ancestor and not the Old English Milking goats.
In the 1970's the New Zealand Forest Service deemed the Arapawa goats an ecological hazard to the native forests and began to cull the feral herds annually until concerned residents began conserving and re-domesticating the breed. From there, sites like Conner Prairie started one of the largest breeding herds in the U.S.
While Arapawas are not a historic breed of goat you would have found on a historic Wisconsin farm, they are one of the closest examples of what North American goat herds would have looked like from the 1600's until after the American Civil War.
If you are interested in sponsoring Asiago, Cheddar, Winnie, Georgia, Shenandoah, Marlie or any of the other animal ambassadors at OWW, visit our Sponsor an Animal Page.
Old World Wisconsin has a lot more fun planned for the rest of the year. We encourage you to visit their website for more information: oldworldwisconsin.wisconsinhistory.org
Old World Wisconsin’s
50th Anniversary
Old World Wisconsin’s
New Welcome Center Ribbon Cutting
Sunset Soiree Fundraising Celebration
Saturday, August 22
OWF Annual Meeting & End of Year Celebration
Thursday, September 24, 4:30 - 6:00pm
Home For The Holidays
December 5 & 6, 12 & 13
