Old Wade House State Park
Wisconsin’s 1850s Stagecoach Inn — Living History on the Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive
Old Wade House State Park — officially the Wade House Historic Site — is a 240-acre open-air museum in Greenbush, Wisconsin, preserving an 1848 stagecoach inn that served travelers on the Fond du Lac–Sheboygan Plank Road. Built by Sylvanus Wade as a halfway house between the two cities, this three-story Greek Revival inn was the essential rest stop for a 40-mile journey that took an entire day by stagecoach. It’s one of the best-preserved pre-Civil War inns in the Midwest.
But the Wade House is just the anchor of a much larger experience. The site includes the Wesley W. Jung Carriage Museum — housing Wisconsin’s largest collection of antique horse-drawn vehicles — the reconstructed Robinson-Herrling Sawmill (a working water-powered mill), the Dockstader Blacksmith Shop with live demonstrations, and the Charles Robinson House (1855). Visitors can ride horse-drawn wagons or stagecoaches through the surrounding Kettle Moraine landscape, watch blacksmithing demonstrations, and explore the inn with costumed interpreters. Three of the site’s structures are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Things to Do
Stagecoach Inn Tours
Explore the 1848 Sylvanus Wade House with costumed interpreters who bring the 1850s to life. The three-story Greek Revival building has been preserved to show what life was like for travelers stopping on the plank road between Fond du Lac and Sheboygan — from the dining room to the upstairs sleeping quarters.
Jung Carriage Museum
The Wesley W. Jung Carriage Museum (visitor center opened 2013) houses an extraordinary collection of antique horse-drawn carriages, wagons, sleighs, and fire engines — the largest such collection in Wisconsin. The exhibits trace the evolution of horse-drawn transportation from utilitarian farm wagons to elegant Victorian carriages.
Horse-Drawn Rides
Seasonal horse-drawn wagon and stagecoach rides take visitors through the Kettle Moraine landscape surrounding the site — the same terrain that 1850s travelers experienced by stagecoach.
Blacksmith Shop
The Dockstader Blacksmith Shop offers live demonstrations of 1850s-era metalworking. Watch skilled artisans forge tools, hardware, and decorative items using period-appropriate techniques.
Robinson-Herrling Sawmill
A reconstructed water-powered sawmill demonstrates how lumber was processed in the mid-19th century — a critical industry in Wisconsin’s early economy.
Historic Structures
| Structure | Built | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Sylvanus Wade House | 1848–1849 | National Register; Greek Revival stagecoach inn; costumed interpreter tours |
| Charles Robinson House | 1855 | National Register; home of Wade’s daughter and son-in-law |
| Robinson-Herrling Sawmill | Reconstructed | National Register; working water-powered sawmill |
| Dockstader Blacksmith Shop | Period | Live metalworking demonstrations; 1850s techniques |
| Jung Carriage Museum | 2013 (building) | Wisconsin’s largest antique carriage collection |
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Highlights | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | ⭐ Full programming; horse-drawn rides; all buildings open; blacksmithing demos | Popular for families; check event schedule for special programs |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | ⭐ Kettle Moraine foliage; Civil War reenactments; harvest events | Season winding down; check closing dates; dress in layers |
| Spring (May–Jun) | Season opening; wildflowers on Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive; fewer visitors | Some programs may not yet be running; call ahead |
| Winter (Dec–Mar) | Holiday events (check schedule); Kettle Moraine winter scenery | Site typically closed for regular tours; check for special events |
Visitor Tips
- Operating season: The site is typically open from late spring (May) through November. Always check the Wisconsin Historical Society website for current hours and special event schedules.
- Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive: The park sits along the Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive — combine your visit with a drive through this glacially sculpted landscape for a full-day experience.
- Civil War events: The site hosts periodic Civil War reenactment weekends with encampments, drills, and battle demonstrations — check the events calendar.
- Group visits: The site is excellent for school groups and educational tours. Contact the site directly for group rates and guided programming.
- Phone: Call (920) 526-3271 or visit wadehouse.org for current hours, admission fees, and event schedules.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Wade House in Wisconsin?
The Wade House is an 1848 stagecoach inn in Greenbush, Wisconsin, built by Sylvanus Wade as a halfway stopping point on the Fond du Lac–Sheboygan Plank Road. Today it’s a 240-acre open-air museum operated by the Wisconsin Historical Society, featuring costumed interpreter tours, the Jung Carriage Museum (Wisconsin’s largest antique carriage collection), a working sawmill, blacksmith shop, and horse-drawn rides through the Kettle Moraine landscape.
Can you take a stagecoach ride at the Wade House?
Yes — the Wade House Historic Site offers seasonal horse-drawn wagon and stagecoach rides through the surrounding Kettle Moraine landscape. These rides are available during the regular operating season (typically May through November) and give visitors a taste of 1850s stagecoach travel. Check the Wisconsin Historical Society website or call (920) 526-3271 for current availability and schedules.
Last updated: April 2026
