One of the very best things about Wisconsin is our rich history of different people settling here as the US was being formed. Our location between Lake Michigan, Lake Superior and the Mississippi River and our climate and geography that reminded people of home drew people from all over Europe who were looking to escape hardship at home and build a new life in America. Their traces and history can be seen in places all across the state.
In New Glarus, a small town outside of Madison, the Swiss heritage is so strong that the Swiss Center of North America is headquartered there. The town has fully embraced its roots and you can see the Swiss influences in the architecture, the food and more. They’re more than 4,000 miles away from Switzerland, but New Glarus is truly America’s “Little Switzerland.”
The first Swiss settlers came to New Glarus in 1845. They settled here and their culture and language continue to influence life in New Glarus.
Locals have been performing a version of the Wilhelm Tell play since 1938. Now a part of a larger Wilhelm Tell Festival, the town will be celebrating the 80th anniversary of this tradition this year.
There is a Swiss Historical Village as well as the Swiss Center of North America here. You can learn about the history of Swiss in the area, look in to your genealogy and more at this amazing resources that call New Glarus home.
The people of New Glarus work hard to hold on to the traditions of their ancestors. People in this area were speaking predominantly German 100 years after the town was first settled and as those traditions started to fade, locals became committed to making a "Little Switzerland" to ensure their ancestors wouldn't be forgotten.
There isn't a town with more history or charm. A trip to New Glarus is a trip back in time and to a totally different land. It's an amazing mix of small-town Wisconsin hospitality and quaint Swiss heritage.
