Step into the era of stagecoach travel with hands-on activities, horse-drawn carriage rides,
special events and more!
GREENBUSH, Wis. – Wade House is preparing to welcome visitors for a vibrant year of hands-on history, memorable experiences and meaningful connections to a time when “horsepower” meant exactly that. Along the historic plank road between Fond du Lac and Sheboygan, wagons and carriages once carried travelers through the countryside—long before automobiles were part of the landscape.
The site opens for the regular season on Saturday, May 23, with hours Wednesday through Sunday through Nov. 1. Throughout the season, the historic destination offers tours of Betsey and Sylvanus Wade’s original 1850 stagecoach inn and a range of immersive activities that bring a bygone era to life. Guests can experience the 19th century with a horse-drawn stagecoach ride through the scenic Kettle Moraine, sample ginger beer over the July 4th weekend, watch the blacksmith ply his trade and so much more.
“The 2026 season at Wade House is filled with special events, value-added experiences and opportunities for all ages to be immersed in the slower pace of life of the nineteenth century,” said Bridgitt Zielke, site director of Wade House. “Whether you are visiting for the first time or a returning guest, we have a wonderful year planned with countless ways to create lasting family memories in a rural, historic setting.”
From seasonal celebrations to interactive demonstrations, this year’s lineup of special experiences and ticketed events highlights the traditions, skills and stories that defined early Wisconsin life. Each experience offers a unique opportunity to step into history while making lasting memories with family and friends.
Wade House is open from May 23 through Nov. 1, with hours of admission from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., from Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is $15 for adults and teens, $13 for seniors (65+), $8 for children (five to 12) and free for children under five. Wisconsin Historical Society members receive free general admission and 10% off ticketed events and store merchandise. Parking is included in admission.
For further information or to purchase tickets, visit WadeHouse.org or call 920-526-3271. The address is W7965 State Hwy 23, Greenbush, Wisconsin.
Upcoming Events at Wade House:
Half-Price Saturdays for Locals – May 2, June 6, July 4, Aug. 1, Sept. 5, Oct. 3, Nov. 7 and Dec. 5, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Residents of Sheboygan and Fond du Lac County receive half-priced general admission to Wade House on select Saturdays in 2026! It’s a great deal for families interested in a hand-on history experience to highlight the weekend. The discount is available for all family members and must be redeemed in person with valid proof of residence.
Blacksmithing Workshops – Full Day: May 9, May 16, Nov. 7, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Half-Day: June 13, Sept. 26, Oct. 3 and Oct. 24, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Strike while the iron is hot, hear the “clang” of the hammer and feel the heat from the forge while learning the art of blacksmithing in the 1860s-era Dockstader Blacksmith Shop at Wade House. During the forging tutorial, learn to shape knives from various materials and customize the handles with your own design to make a distinctive, one-of-a-kind knife. The cost is $225 for a full day and $125 for a half-day.
Homeschool Days at Wade House – May 19, May 26, Sept. 23 and Oct. 7, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Calling all homeschoolers and non-traditional students! Learners of all ages are invited to explore the horse-powered world of Wade House and Wisconsin in the mid-1800s during our hands-on Homeschool Days. The cost is $6 per student per class and $3 for preschool students.
Stagecoach Saturdays – May 23, June 6, June 27, July 18, Aug. 8, Aug. 29, Sept. 12, Oct. 17
Gather the family and travel back in time to experience a relaxing, peaceful stagecoach journey through the rolling landscape of the Kettle Moraine. Board the replica Concord stagecoach, meet horses, take photos with them and learn more about the picturesque world of the horse-powered past during this 30-minute ride. The cost is $15 per adult and teens, $13 for seniors (65+), $10 for children (5-12) and $3 for children under five.
Prairie Schooner Saturdays – May 30, June 13, July 25, Aug. 15, Sept. 19 and Oct. 24
Sign up for this once-in-a-lifetime experience to journey across the scenic Kettle Moraine countryside aboard a horse-powered covered wagon. The ride is a faithful reproduction of a prairie schooner, similar to those that traveled west across the continent in the 1800s. Guests are asked to arrive 30 minutes prior to the ticket time; the listed ticket time serves as the prairie schooner ride start time. The cost is $15 per adult and teens, $13 for seniors (65+), $10 for children (5-12) and $3 for children under five.
Dairy Days – June 6 and 7, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Celebrate June Dairy Month at Wade House with a taste of what makes Wisconsin the Dairy State! Guests can hand-crank an authentic ice cream maker, use a dash churn to transform cream into fresh butter and discover the art of artisan cheese making through live demonstrations. This program is included with general admission and features delicious samples to enjoy.
Wade House Pizza Nights – June 18, July 30 and Aug. 13, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Thursday is Pizza Night at Wade House! Taking a page from Betsey Wade’s hospitality playbook, this drop-in dinner experience features homemade pies available for purchase from Three Guys and a Grill. No separate ticket is required to participate! Sit back, enjoy the late afternoon sun and savor supper inside the Wade House Visitor Center or on the outside patio and lawns.
Goat Yoga – June 20, July 25, Aug. 15 and Sept. 12, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
What could be better than spending a bright, sunny summer morning in the beautiful Kettle Moraine countryside enjoying some gentle and relaxing yoga poses with a certified yoga instructor. How about adding a handful of tumbling, curious and seriously cute baby goats from Kid Farm LLC? This giggle-worthy experience brings nonstop smiles as guests relax, connect with nature and enjoy these monthly classes led by instructor Dana Bear. The cost is $25 per person.
Father’s Day – June 20 and 21, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Make memories with dad at Wade House this Father’s Day! Spend quality family time surrounded by animals, open skies and the rich history of Wisconsin’s stagecoach era. From horse-drawn wagon rides to a lively petting zoo, this weekend is packed with old-fashioned charm and family-friendly fun.
Ginger Beer Days – July 4 and 5, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Experience the delicious smell, taste and art of ginger beer brewing at Wade House. Gather in the Stagecoach Inn summer kitchen as costumed interpreters brew old-style ginger beer, a soft drink brought to the U.S. in the mid-19th century. This program is included with general admission and visitors receive samples of the spicy, refreshing beverage.
Wade House Driving Clinic: Learning Audit – July 7-9, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Watch carriage drivers learn the art of horse-drawn carriage driving from Joe Yoder, a World Champion carriage driving professional. As Yoder conducts lessons with participants, auditors can learn about the different skills required of drivers. The audit cost is $35 per person per day and advance registration is required.
Wade House Driving Clinic: Lunch & Learns – July 7-9, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
During these entertaining and educational lunch and learns, enjoy a catered meal while learning more about the sport and art of carriage driving from expert trainer Joe Yoder, a title-winning, carriage driving professional. Each day a different topic will be highlighted. The cost is $20 per person, per day and advance registration is required.
Wade House Carriage Driving Days – July 10-12
Spectators are invited to enjoy a horse-drawn wagon ride from the Visitor Center and Wesley W. Jung Carriage Museum to the site’s brand-new horse arena where they will see horses of every size, shape and color hitched to elegant carts and carriages competing for a coveted blue ribbon. The event will consist of events showcasing the versatility, training and talents of both horse and driver. Don’t forget to check out display carriages open for guests to explore! The per day cost is $17 for adults and teens, $15 for seniors (65+), $8.50 for child (5-12) and free for children under five. The weekend cost is $27 for adults and teens, $25 for seniors, $12.50 for children (5-12) and free for under five.
Wade House Hikes – Aug. 1 and Oct. 3, 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
These 75-minute hikes provide an opportunity to reconnect with nature, explore the lush woodlands surrounding the historic site and learn about the wildlife that thrives in the beautiful countryside landscape. The Aug. 1 “River Ramble” hike focuses on the nearby Mullet River and the Oct. 3 “Fall Colors Walk” offers a chance to enjoy the autumn colors as the leaves change. The cost is $6 for adults and teens, $5 for seniors (65+), $3 for children (5-12) and free for children under five.
Is it a Jam? Is it a Jelly? – Aug. 8 and 9, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Watch historically dressed interpreters bring the past to life as they transform fresh berries picked straight from the Wade House grounds into flavorful, fresh fruit spreads using authentic 1858 recipes. This program is included with general admission and features samples of the authentically preserved spread.
Arts and Crafts Fair – Aug. 30, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Join us for a one-of-a-kind arts and crafts fair set against the picturesque backdrop of Wade House. Stroll the historic grounds and view the work of talented artists and makers—potters, metalworkers, woodworkers, herbalists and more. Enjoy live music, indulge in local treats and take home a one-of-a-kind treasure. The cost is $6 per person.
About Wade House
Wade House is one of the Wisconsin Historical Society’s 12 historic sites and museums. Located in Greenbush, the site includes an 1850s stagecoach inn that was built to serve traffic along a plank road connecting Fond du Lac and Sheboygan. The site tells the story of frontier entrepreneur Sylvanus Wade and his family during the 1850s and 1860s. In addition to the inn, the historic site includes the Dockstader blacksmith shop and Herrling sawmill, one of the few working, water-powered sawmills of its kind in the nation. Wade House is also home to the Wesley W. Jung Carriage Museum, which houses the state’s largest collection of antique carriages and working wagons. For more information and a list of upcoming events call (920) 526-3271 or visit wadehouse.org. Wisconsin Historical Society members receive free admission to this site during regular operating hours.
About the Wisconsin Historical Society
The Wisconsin Historical Society, founded in 1846, ranks as one of the largest, most active and most diversified state historical societies in the nation. As both a state agency and a private membership organization, its mission is to help people connect to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing stories. The Wisconsin Historical Society serves millions of people every year through a wide range of sites, programs and services. For more information, visit www.wisconsinhistory.org.
