I Toured A Cheese Museum In Wisconsin Because Of Course I Did
By Ben Jones|Published April 19, 2024
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Ben Jones
Author
Ben Jones is at heart an adventurer who delights in inspiring others. A former reporter and photojournalist, he explored towns large and small as a Wisconsin correspondent for USA Today. He later became a lead photographer and senior copywriter for an award-winning destination marketing agency, before founding Boldland Creative, a company that produces photography, video, and other content for travel destinations. Jones has completed photography and content projects in more than 15 states and when he’s not looking through a camera or at his Macbook you’ll find him exploring the world’s lakes and forests.
Wisconsin is famous for its wonderful cheese, and the heart of Wisconsin cheese country can be found in Green County. Like any Wisconsin native, I love some good cheese – give me a bag of fresh curds, some 10-year cheddar, or perhaps some fiery spiced cheese, and I’m a happy man. I had the opportunity to visit the National Historic Cheesemaking Center Museum in Monroe, and I think it’s one of the best things do in Monroe, Wisconsin. If you love delicious cheese as much as I do, you’ll want to pay a visit to this place. Here’s why.
You’ll find this unique museum in a place that refers to itself as the "Cheese Capital of the USA." The area has a long history of cheese making that dates back to the 1800s, when European immigrants settled here.
The museum's collection includes vintage cheese making equipment, historical photographs, and interactive displays that illustrate the evolution of cheese making techniques and technology over the years.
There’s a restored farmstead cheese factory that was moved here from Illinois. I was able to see how this little operation created Brick, Swiss and Limburger cheese using milk from a 40-cow herd.
The museum’s staff is helpful and has first-hand knowledge of the cheese industry.