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Fun and historic sites to check out
There's lots of variety in southwest Wisconsin
Southwest Wisconsin has its share of unique destinations. Many are historic, some are just for fun and others are a combination of the two.
Here are a dozen spots to consider stopping while in the area this fall and winter. Make sure to note when some close for the season.
Badger Mine Museum, Shullsburg
Overview: Newly renovated in 2006, the museum (279 W. Estey St.) contains artifacts from Shullsburg's 179-year history, and is a good example of how life was in Wisconsin's early mining communities. There also are exhibits on cheesemaking.
Highlights: A working replica of the Eagle Pitcher Mine, which operated near town, shows how more modern mines functioned, until their closure in the 1970s. Also, take the 51 steps your tour guide down to a hand-dug 19th century lead mine.
Admission: Museum and mine tour rates: $5 adult, $3 children younger than 10, $4 senior citizens. Tours only: $3, adults, $1.50 children younger than 10, $2 senior citizens.
Season/hours: Memorial Day through Labor Day. Noon-4 p.m., Wednesday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday- Sunday; closed Monday and Tuesday (excluding holidays).
Contacts: 608-965-4860; www.shullsburgwisconsin.org/shullsburgbadgerminemuseum.htm.
Doll and Toy Museum, Fennimore
Overview: Owned by the City of Fennimore, the museum (1135 Sixth St.) was established in 1991 and showcases a private collection. It now includes collections and items from around the world. The collections range from 1800s through 2000.
Highlights: The oldest current item is a Paper Mache Doll from 1810.
Admission: $3 adults, $1.50 students.
Season/hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., daily, May-December. Closed holidays. A spring-summer relocation project was tentatively scheduled to be completed by September. Call to confirm.
Contacts: 888-867-7935 or 608-822-4100; http://www.fennimore.com/dolltoy/.
gays mills apple orchards
Overview: The village lies in a valley among the steeply chiseled bluffs of the region known as the Driftless Area of southwest Wisconsin. It also sits along the banks of the Kickapoo River which winds its way through the valley and occasionally floods the area.
Highlight: The Gays Mills Apple Festival. This year's is the 50th annual event, taking place Sept. 26-27. Includes the usual food and craft booths, plus a run/walk, canoe race and parade. Contact 608-735-4853 for general information on the event.
Admission: Free.
Season/hours: Various orchards and fruit stands open most of the day into early evening, through the fall harvest season.
Contacts: 608-735-4341; www.gaysmills.org.
Grant County Courthouse, Lancaster
Overview: Built in 1905, the courthouse was designed by architect Armand Koch. The tall brownstone building with its octagonal glass and copper dome is visible for miles around. Inside the dome are four mammoth murals painted by Franz Edward Rohrbeck.
Highlights: The first Civil War monument ever erected in Wisconsin (1867) stands on the northeast corner of the square. Civil War artifacts are on display in one entryway, including weapons and bullets from the Battle of Gettysburg.
Admission: Free.
Season/hours: Year-round, general business hours.
Contacts: 608-723-2820 (chamber of commerce).
Mining Museum and Rollo Jamison Museum, Platteville
Overview: The side by side museums are located at the eastern end of Platteville's Downtown Historic District, 405 E. Main St. They include exhibits on Platteville and area history. The newest exhibit is called "Farm Women: Silent Partners."
Highlights: An underground tour of the 1845 Bevans Lead Mine and a ride in a 1931 mine train above ground.
Admission: $8 adults, $7 seniors, $4 children ages 5-15, free younger than 5 free. $22 family (up to two adults and two or more dependent children 5-17).
Season/hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, May through October. Self-guided galleries open 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday, November through April. Group tours available year-round by appointment.
Contacts: 608-348-3301; http://www.mining.jamison.museum/.
Pendarvis, Mineral Point
Overview: The original Pendarvis House (Shake Rag Street, downtown) was preserved in the 1930s. Since then, other Cornish cottages were added to form the complex. Costumed interpreters offer guided tours through the site, recalling the days when Mineral Point was a tough lead mining camp.
Highlights: The Merry Christmas Mine and the recent addition of a restored 43-acre section of prairie. Marked trails traverse the mine property and the adjoining prairie.
Admission: $9 adults, $7.75 students and seniors, $4.50 children ages 5-17. $24 family (up to two adults and two or more dependent children 5-17).
Season/hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., daily, May 12-Oct. 31 (last tour begins at 4 p.m.). Open year-round for pre-arranged group tours, events and field trips.
Contacts: 608-987-2122; pendarvis.wisconsinhistory.org.
Potosi Brewing Company
Overview: Created this past year through the Potosi Brewery Restoration Project, the complex (209 S. Main St.) includes the Potosi Brewing Company Transportation Museum, Great River Road Interpretive Center, National Brewery Museum and Potosi Brewing Company Restaurant.
Highlight: The Potosi Brewery Great River Road Bicycle Tour, one of the tri-state regions up-and-coming bicycle tour events. Three ride lengths offered. Takes place Saturday, Sept. 19. For more information, go to www.potosibiketours.com.
Admission: Free.
Season/hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.. Sunday through Thursday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday and Saturday. Restaurant, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Contacts: 608-763-4002; info@potosibrewery.com.
Railroad Historical Society Museum, Fennimore
Overview: The museum, located at 610 Lincoln Ave., was the former city power house and utility building. It has been remodeled to look like a turn-of-the-century depot. The replica loading platform is made with brick from the original depot using only sand and brick, just as it was originally built.
Highlights: "Dinky," a 1907 Davenport 2-6-0 locomotive which is similar in appearance and size to the original narrow gauge. The Wilkinson Railroad, a miniature train layout that includes a depot, engine barn, water tower, gondola, two hopper cars, coach, two engines and a caboose.
Admission: Pre-arranged tours are available at $1 per person.
Season/hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Memorial weekend through Labor Day; weekends only through September and October (other times by appointment).
Contacts: 608-822-6144; http://www.fennimore.com/railmuseum/.
Stonefield Village, Cassville
Overview: Located about 40 miles from Dubuque, the 2,000-acre country estate of Nelson Dewey, Wisconsin's first governor has been turned into a historic village of more than 30 buildings. The centerpiece of the site is the three-story Gothic Revival home of Dewey, which was completed in 1868.
Highlight: The State Agricultural Museum is home to Wisconsin's largest collection of farm tools, models and machinery, looking back at the state's agricultural past.
Admission: $8 adults, $6.75 students/seniors (65 and older), $4 children ages 5-17, children younger than 5, free. $22 family (up to two adults and two or more dependent children 5-17), $22.
Season/hours: Open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily through Oct. 11. Open year-round for pre-arranged group tours, events and field trips.
Contacts: 608-725-5210. http://stonefield.wisconsinhistory.org/.
The Grotto, Dickeyville
Overview: Father Mathias Wernerus shaped and built the "Holy Ghost Grotto" (305 W. Main St.) between 1925 and 1931. It wraps around the Holy Ghost Catholic Church, a folk art layout that includes a small artificial cave, statue alcoves, arches and fountains.
Highlights: The "Patriotism Shrine" features an eagle-topped monument and includes a marble statue of Christopher Columbus, framed in a seashell arch. Images of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington also can be seen.
Admission: Donation.
Season/hours: Year-round. Gift shop hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. September-October; 11 a.m.-2 p.m., November-Dec. 15 (weekends only); 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. April-May; 9 a.m.-4:15 p.m. June-August.
Contacts: 608-568-3119; www.dickeyvillegrotto.com/.
Vesperman Farms, Lancaster
Overview: Vesperman Farms (8149 Stage Road) was purchased by Louis Vesperman in the late 1890s. Kyle Vesperman, 26, is the fifth generation to manage the farm. He has added several agri-entertainment activities. The Vesperman family also owns and operates the Cedar House Cafe and Eatery in downtown Lancaster.
Highlights: Large corn maze (called Going Hog Wild, this year), tractor-drawn hayrides, petting zoo, a pick-you-own-pumpkin patch every fall and pick-your-own strawberries each June.
Season/hours: Sept. 11-Nov. 1. 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Fridays; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays; by appointment only, weekdays.
Contacts: 608-723-2542; www.vespermanfarms.com.
Villa Louis, Prairie du Chien
Overview: A 19th century Victorian estate (on St. Feriole Island, Villa Louis Road) was owned and built by one of Wisconsin's most prosperous families. The Hercules Louis Dousman family started on the banks of the Mississippi River in the mid-1800s. The Villa Louis was built in 1870. Through the years, expansions and remodeling have taken place.
Highlight: The Villa Louis Carriage Classic. Taking place 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sept. 12-13, it is one of the largest carriage driving competitions in the nation.
Admission: $9 adults, $7.75 students and seniors, $4.50 children ages 5-17. $24 family (up to two adults and two or more dependent children 5-17).
Season/hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., daily, May 2-Nov. 31. Last tour begins at 4 p.m.
Contacts: 608-326-2721; villalouis.wisconsinhistory.org/.