Old World Wisconsin: Catch wheel fever, 1890s cycling experience opens to great guest response

Eagle, Wis.–Old World Wisconsin’s newest interactive experience, Catch Wheel Fever!, opened to the public this past weekend to great enthusiasm from guests The hands-on experience captures the excitement of the 1890s cycling craze that swept the nation. Catch Wheel Fever! will be open every day that the museum is open, at no additional admission charge.

Guests of all ages explored the reproduction 1890s bicycle repair shop. They climbed aboard the replica adult-size and child-size high-wheel bikes to have a photo taken, just as early riders once did. Many put on period apparel for their photo op. They tinkered at the workbench, discovering the similarities between technology from over a century ago and today’s, and even learned cycling lingo of the era.

The centerpiece of the experience is the hop-on reproduction tricycles, where children and adults can pedal around a track and catch some wheel fever firsthand. All of these activities are available daily.

Dan Freas, Old World Wisconsin’s director, summed up the success of the opening weekend: “We are delighted by our guests’ response to Catch Wheel Fever! There have been lots of smiles and plenty of laughter and ah-ha moments for guests of all ages. We saw many people visiting for the first time, so are thrilled that this is also the entry point for our rural Midwestern 19th-century and early 20th-century immigrant experience.”

Catch Wheel Fever! complements the book Wheel Fever: How Wisconsin Became a Great Bicycling State published by the Wisconsin Historical Society Press.

Catch Wheel Fever! details are available at www.oldworldwisconsin.org.

Admission and Hours: Catch Wheel Fever! is available every day the museum is open for regular daily visitation, at no additional charge. Hours open to the general public for 2014 are 10 am to 5 pm weekends in May, daily Memorial Day through Labor Day, and Thursday through Sunday September 4 through October 31. Adults: $16; children (5-17) $9 (children under 5 are free); students/seniors $14; family (up to two adults and two or more dependent children 5-17) $43.

Support for Catch Wheel Fever!: Catch Wheel Fever! was made possible, in part, by a generous lead grant from the Sally Mead Hands Foundation. Additional support has been provided by the Old World Foundation, Wheel & Sprocket and We Energies Foundation.

Overview of Old World Wisconsin

Old World Wisconsin, located in the Chicago/Milwaukee/Madison triangle, features 19th- and early 20th-century Midwestern immigrant farm and rural life. During the daily operating season May through October, plus postseason and holiday events in November and December, the museum offers family friendly activities, led by period-clad interpreters, as they visit 10 working farmsteads, explore 12 heirloom gardens, interact with heritage animal breeds, and try historic crafts and trades. Old World Wisconsin is located at W372 S9727 Highway 67, Eagle, WI 53119. For general information and details about 2014 activities, call 262-594-6301 or visit www.oldworldwisconsin.org.