Welcome to the National Historic Cheesemaking Center
and the Green County Welcome Center
The National Historic Cheesemaking Museum is located in the former Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad Depot (see page header). Built in 1888, the railroad depot was moved to its present location in 1993, through the tireless efforts of Historic Monroe, Inc. and Historic Cheesemaker. After the move was complete, the building was restored by members and friends of the organization and dubbed the "Monroe Depot", and currently houses the National Historic Cheesemaking Museum, the Green County Welcome Center and the Milk House Gift Shop.
The Center is currently closed for the season. However during the months of April through October, seven days a week, staff is available to assist the traveler with information, directions, and direct you to what is available in Monroe and the Green County area, in addition to information for the entire state of Wisconsin, maps of the City, County and State are also available. During the winter season, requests for tours of ten or more, will be accommodated with prior notice, unless the facility is undergoing maintenance to improve your visit. Group tours may be scheduled by completing and emailing the website form, and a member of the staff will contact you.
At the National Historic Cheesemaking museum, get a glimpse of the manual labor of cheese making in the late 1800's and early 1900's, before automation and which earned Monroe, Wisconsin, the title of the "Swiss Cheese Capital of the USA", at a time that cheese factories could be found on almost every crossroad of Green County.
During your visit, step inside the century old Imobersteg Cheese Factory which sat undiscovered for almost a century. The wooden one-room factory was moved to and restored on the National Historic Cheesemaking Center's campus.
On Saturday, June 9, 2012, take a turn in stirrring the kettle as Master Cheesemakers assisted by retired cheesemakers make a 90 pound wheel of Swiss cheese, as it was done over 100 year ago, right before your very eyes. The milk will arrive approximately 9:00 a.m. and the day will continue through mid afternoon when a completed wheel of Swiss is on the press table. Food and beverages will be available throughout the day, and the museum open 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
"Welcome to Monroe - Green County - Wisconsin"
Hours of Operation
The Center is staffed daily 9 a.m.- 4:00 p.m., April 1-October 31. Tours of ten or more may also be scheduled during our winter season by calling the Center and leaving a message,unless the facility is undergoing disruptive maintenance.
Cream Puffs
&
Master Grilled Cheese
Sandwiches
(See FAQ's for Availability)