Homeschool Days at Wade House
An immersive 1800s experience for students featuring horse-drawn wagons, stagecoach tours, and historic trade demonstrations.
| Event Details Tuesday, May 19, 2026 | 9 AM–4 PM – CANCELED Tuesday, May 26, 2026 | 9 AM–4 PM Wednesday, Sep 23, 2026 | 9 AM–4 PM Wednesday, Oct 7, 2026 | 9 AM–4 PM An Immersive 1800s Horse-Powered Experience Calling all homeschool learners and non-traditional students! Learners of all ages will be invited to explore the horse-powered world of Wade House and Wisconsin in the mid-1800s. Upon arrival, visitors can step inside a reproduction stagecoach and learn about plank road travel. The horse-drawn world of the 19th century is on display in the Wesley W. Jung Carriage Museum, where learners will test their skills by building their very own model carriage. A horse-drawn wagon transports visitors across the Mullet River to the historic core of the site where authentically costumed interpreters, muscle power and waterpower bring to life the work of the blacksmith and sawyer. Guests will also tour the 27-room Stagecoach Hotel, which once served weary travelers along the Plank Road. What You’ll Experience A unique way for homeschooled and non-traditional students to explore 1800s horse-powered history Interactive experiences including model carriage building Horse-drawn wagon transport through the Wade House grounds Cost Student (Grades K-2): $6 Student (Grades 3-5): $6 Student (Grades 6-8): $6 Student (Grades 9-12): $6 Student (Preschool): $3 Student (Infant/Toddler): $Free Adult (18-64): $11 Senior (65+): $11 Advance registration required. Society members receive a 10% discount, please verify your membership where prompted to receive discount at check out. About the Location Wade House Stagecoach Inn was constructed conveniently between the cities of Fond du Lac and Sheboygan, along a well-used stagecoach trail. This made the 27-room Greek Revival hotel a popular resting point for weary travelers. Three generations of the Wade family resided on the Wade House property, with the stagecoach inn operating until around 1872. The Kohler family and the Kohler Foundation purchased Wade House in 1950 and began a top-to-bottom restoration. The site became property of the Wisconsin Historical Society and opened to the public in 1953. Here, visitors can journey back to the horse-powered world that existed before planes, cars, and trains. The site features the stagecoach hotel built and owned by Sylvanus and Betsey Wade, early settlers of Greenbush, as well as a blacksmith shop, sawmill, and the Wesley W. Jung Carriage Museum, which houses Wisconsin’s largest collection of carriages and wagons. Visitors can enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides from the visitor center to the historic core and back again. Wade House Historic Site & Wesley W. Jung Carriage Museum (PO Box 34) W7965 State Hwy 23 Greenbush, WI 53026 Know Before You Go Programs will be held outdoors and in museum buildings, rain or shine. Dress appropriately for weather conditions. Visit time can last up to four hours. Please bring your own lunch if you plan to eat while at Wade House. Lunch space available upon request. Adult chaperones can purchase a ticket for $11 each. Have Questions? For more information, please contact the box office at 608-264-4848 or boxoffice@wisconsinhistory.org .
