After years of preparation, moving and remodeling, a historic tavern is about to reopen. The Wisconsin Historical Society has announced that Wittnebel’s Tavern, an institution in Old Ashippun since the early 1900s, will open its doors on May 17 as part of a history experience centered around Wisconsin’s brewing and beer heritage at Old World Wisconsin. The tavern, purchased by the Historical Society in 2018, was moved 27 miles in pieces in 2021 to the state historic site near Eagle and has since been remodeled to reflect a 1930s, post-Prohibition tavern experience that will include an outdoor beer garden.
Old World Wisconsin’s new Brewing Experience and Brewhouse, right, and the former Wittnebel’s Tavern, left, seen here in 2022, share a hill at the state historic site south of Eagle. The tavern, which was moved in 2021 from Old Ashippun, will open May 17.
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Two sections of Wittnebel's Tavern in Old Ashippun head south on Highway 67 near Oconomowoc while on their way to Old World Wisconsin in May 2021. The 26-mile trip took about 95 minutes.
Photos: Wittnebel's Tavern moves to Old World Wisconsin
Wittnebel's Tavern on the move
The roof of Wittnebel's Tavern had a tight squeeze as it entered Old World Wisconsin on Tuesday.
Wittnebel's Tavern on the move
The Brewing Experience building is under construction at Old World Wisconsin and could begin brewing later this year. Wittnebel's Tavern will be placed to the right of the building.
Wittnebel's Tavern on the move
Dan Freas, site director at Old World Wisconsin , walks through the Brewing Experience building under construction at will be home to brewing at the historic site.
Wittnebel's Tavern on the move
Dan Freas, site director at Old World Wisconsin, points out two massive fireplaces that will be used to heat kettles of beer in the new Brewing Experience building under construction.
Wittnebel's Tavern on the move
Dan Freas, site director at Old World Wisconsin, shows off the Brewing Experience building under construction at the state historic site. Wittnebel's Tavern will be placed next door to this building later this year.
Wittnebel's Tavern on the move
The new Brewing Experience building at Old World Wisconsin will have large windows offering panoramic views to the west.
Wittnebel's Tavern on the move
Wittnebel's Tavern will be placed between Brewing Experience building, left, under construction, and the round historic Clausing Barn at Old World Wisconsin.
Wittnebel's Tavern on the move
The first floor of Wittnebel's Tavern rolls through the Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest on Tuesday.
Wittnebel's Tavern on the move
The roof of Wittnebel's Tavern makes its way south on Highway 67 between Dousman and Eagle.
Wittnebel's Tavern on the move
Bottles of A&W Root Beer were decorated Tuesday by the Wittnebel family to celebrate the move of their family tavern to Old World Wisconsin. The tags read "One of the Road."
Wittnebel Tavern Move 07-05112021114734
Workers with Findorff Construction and Heritage Movers work to prepare the former Wittnebel Tavern in Old Ashippun, Wis. for a move to Old World Wisconsin Tuesday, May 4, 2021. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Wittnebel's Tavern on the Move
Workers with Findorff Construction and Heritage Movers work to prepare Wittnebel's Tavern in Old Ashippun last week for its move Tuesday to Old World Wisconsin. The tavern, constructed in 1906, will become part of a new Brewing Experience exhibit at the state historic site near Eagle.
Wittnebel Tavern Move 05-05112021114734
Workers with Findorff Construction and Heritage Movers work to prepare the former Wittnebel Tavern in Old Ashippun, Wis. for a move to Old World Wisconsin Tuesday, May 4, 2021. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Wittnebel Tavern Move 03-05112021114734
Workers with Findorff Construction and Heritage Movers work to prepare the former Wittnebel Tavern in Old Ashippun, Wis. for a move to Old World Wisconsin Tuesday, May 4, 2021. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Wittnebel's Tavern on the move
Bystanders watch just before two of the three sections of Wittnebel's Tavern along Highway 67 in Old Ashippun begin a trek Tuesday to Old World Wisconsin.
Wittnebel Tavern Move 04-05112021114734
The former Wittnebel Tavern in Old Ashippun, Wis. is readied for transport to Old World Wisconsin by workers with Heritage Movers Tuesday, May 11, 2021. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Wittnebel's Tavern on the move
Two sections of Wittnebel's Tavern in Old Ashippun head south on Highway 67 near Oconmowoc on Tuesday. The 27-mile move to Old World Wisconsin took about 95 minutes.
Wittnebel's Tavern on the move
The roof of Wittnebel's Tavern leaves Old Ashippun Tuesday, on its way to Old World Wisconsin. The 27-mile trip took about 95 minutes.
Wittnebel Tavern Move 09-05112021114734
Workers with Findorff Construction and Heritage Movers work to prepare the former Wittnebel Tavern in Old Ashippun, Wis. for a move to Old World Wisconsin Tuesday, May 4, 2021. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Brewing Experience at Old World Wisconsin
Construction of the Brewing Experience building at Old World Wisconsin near Eagle is underway. The building will serve as an educational and event center and be home to a brewery. Wittnebel's Tavern, seen at left in this rendering, will be moved later this year to the site from Old Ashippun, where the family-owned tavern was founded in 1906.
Wittnebel's Tavern
Jim Draeger, far right, an architectural historian with the Wisconsin Historical Society, sits at the bar of Wittnebel's Tavern in 2017 and speaks with family members about the business that was founded in 1906.
Wittnebel's Tavern
Frank and Fanny Wittnebel founded their tavern in 1906 along what is now Highway 67 in Old Ashippun. They are seen here in this photo from the 1940s holding their grandson, Jim Wittnebel, next to a stack of wooden beer crates from the Lithia Beer Co. in West Bend.
Wittnebel's Tavern
This aerial photo from the 1940s shows the quaint tavern and home of the Wittnebel family in rural Dodge County.
Wittnebel's Tavern
Jim Draeger, far right, an architectural historian with the Wisconsin Historical Society, sits Monday at the bar of Wittnebel's Tavern and speaks with family members about the business that was founded in 1906. The tavern, attached to the Wittnebel home along Highway 67 in Old Ashippun, closed in 1987 but has been preserved for the past 30 years. Last week the fixtures, including the stools, were removed and donated to the Historical Society.
Wittnebel's Tavern
Workers from the Wisconsin Historical Society move the front bar from Wittnebel's Tavern in Old Ashippun to a moving truck Thursday.
Wittnebel's Tavern
Workers from the Wisconsin Historical Society, including Joe Kapler, right, curator of cultural history, move a portion of the back bar from Wittnebel's Tavern in Old Ashippun on to a truck. The Historical Society would like to put the bar fixtures back in service but has not yet formulated a plan for the historic pieces that also include 10 bar stools, the front bar and a walk-in wooden beer cooler.
Wittnebel's Tavern
An old dartball score sheet was discovered during the removal of a bar from the historic Wittnebel's Tavern in Old Ashippun. The tavern was a regular spot for dartball teams from throughout the area with games played in an upstairs hall.
Whittnebels Tavern 11-11102017110428
Tom Wittnebel, a third generation member of the family-owned Wittnebel's Tavern in Old Ashippun, Wis. walks past an antique cash register, which, along with the former business' historic bar, is being donated to the Wisconsin Historical Society Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Wittnebel's Tavern
Barb Lund, a third generation of the family-owned Wittnebel's Tavern in Old Ashippun, spends a few final moments Thursday with the former business' historic bar, which has been donated to the Wisconsin Historical Society. The roadside tavern was founded by her grandparents in 1906 but has been closed since 1987.
Wittnebel's Tavern
This has been an emotional year for Barb Lund, who lost her mother and a sister. Last week, fixtures from the tavern that has been in the family since 1906 and attached to the family home, were donated to the Wisconsin Historical Society. But she is pleased that the fixtures could someday be part of an exhibit and enjoyed by others for years to come.
Wittnebel Tavern Move 05-05112021114734
Workers with Findorff Construction and Heritage Movers work to prepare the former Wittnebel Tavern in Old Ashippun, Wis. for a move to Old World Wisconsin Tuesday, May 4, 2021. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Wittnebel Tavern Move 03-05112021114734
Workers with Findorff Construction and Heritage Movers work to prepare the former Wittnebel Tavern in Old Ashippun, Wis. for a move to Old World Wisconsin Tuesday, May 4, 2021. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Wittnebel Tavern Move 04-05112021114734
The former Wittnebel Tavern in Old Ashippun, Wis. is readied for transport to Old World Wisconsin by workers with Heritage Movers Tuesday, May 11, 2021. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Wittnebel's Tavern on the Move
Workers with Findorff Construction and Heritage Movers work to prepare Wittnebel's Tavern in Old Ashippun last week for its move Tuesday to Old World Wisconsin. The tavern, constructed in 1906, will become part of a new Brewing Experience exhibit at the state historic site near Eagle.
Wittnebel's Tavern
This has been an emotional year for Barb Lund, who lost her mother and a sister. Last week, fixtures from the tavern that has been in the family since 1906 and attached to the family home, were donated to the Wisconsin Historical Society. But she is pleased that the fixtures could someday be part of an exhibit and enjoyed by others for years to come.
Old World Wisconsin’s new Brewing Experience and Brewhouse, right, and the former Wittnebel’s Tavern, left, seen here in 2022, share a hill at the state historic site south of Eagle. The tavern, which was moved in 2021 from Old Ashippun, will open May 17.
Two sections of Wittnebel's Tavern in Old Ashippun head south on Highway 67 near Oconomowoc while on their way to Old World Wisconsin in May 2021. The 26-mile trip took about 95 minutes.
Photos: Wittnebel's Tavern moves to Old World Wisconsin
Wittnebel's Tavern on the move
The roof of Wittnebel's Tavern had a tight squeeze as it entered Old World Wisconsin on Tuesday.
Wittnebel's Tavern on the move
The Brewing Experience building is under construction at Old World Wisconsin and could begin brewing later this year. Wittnebel's Tavern will be placed to the right of the building.
Wittnebel's Tavern on the move
Dan Freas, site director at Old World Wisconsin , walks through the Brewing Experience building under construction at will be home to brewing at the historic site.
Wittnebel's Tavern on the move
Dan Freas, site director at Old World Wisconsin, points out two massive fireplaces that will be used to heat kettles of beer in the new Brewing Experience building under construction.
Wittnebel's Tavern on the move
Dan Freas, site director at Old World Wisconsin, shows off the Brewing Experience building under construction at the state historic site. Wittnebel's Tavern will be placed next door to this building later this year.
Wittnebel's Tavern on the move
The new Brewing Experience building at Old World Wisconsin will have large windows offering panoramic views to the west.
Wittnebel's Tavern on the move
Wittnebel's Tavern will be placed between Brewing Experience building, left, under construction, and the round historic Clausing Barn at Old World Wisconsin.
Wittnebel's Tavern on the move
The first floor of Wittnebel's Tavern rolls through the Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest on Tuesday.
Wittnebel's Tavern on the move
The roof of Wittnebel's Tavern makes its way south on Highway 67 between Dousman and Eagle.
Wittnebel's Tavern on the move
Bottles of A&W Root Beer were decorated Tuesday by the Wittnebel family to celebrate the move of their family tavern to Old World Wisconsin. The tags read "One of the Road."
Wittnebel Tavern Move 07-05112021114734
Workers with Findorff Construction and Heritage Movers work to prepare the former Wittnebel Tavern in Old Ashippun, Wis. for a move to Old World Wisconsin Tuesday, May 4, 2021. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Wittnebel's Tavern on the Move
Workers with Findorff Construction and Heritage Movers work to prepare Wittnebel's Tavern in Old Ashippun last week for its move Tuesday to Old World Wisconsin. The tavern, constructed in 1906, will become part of a new Brewing Experience exhibit at the state historic site near Eagle.
Wittnebel Tavern Move 05-05112021114734
Workers with Findorff Construction and Heritage Movers work to prepare the former Wittnebel Tavern in Old Ashippun, Wis. for a move to Old World Wisconsin Tuesday, May 4, 2021. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Wittnebel Tavern Move 03-05112021114734
Workers with Findorff Construction and Heritage Movers work to prepare the former Wittnebel Tavern in Old Ashippun, Wis. for a move to Old World Wisconsin Tuesday, May 4, 2021. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Wittnebel's Tavern on the move
Bystanders watch just before two of the three sections of Wittnebel's Tavern along Highway 67 in Old Ashippun begin a trek Tuesday to Old World Wisconsin.
Wittnebel Tavern Move 04-05112021114734
The former Wittnebel Tavern in Old Ashippun, Wis. is readied for transport to Old World Wisconsin by workers with Heritage Movers Tuesday, May 11, 2021. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Wittnebel's Tavern on the move
Two sections of Wittnebel's Tavern in Old Ashippun head south on Highway 67 near Oconmowoc on Tuesday. The 27-mile move to Old World Wisconsin took about 95 minutes.
Wittnebel's Tavern on the move
The roof of Wittnebel's Tavern leaves Old Ashippun Tuesday, on its way to Old World Wisconsin. The 27-mile trip took about 95 minutes.
Wittnebel Tavern Move 09-05112021114734
Workers with Findorff Construction and Heritage Movers work to prepare the former Wittnebel Tavern in Old Ashippun, Wis. for a move to Old World Wisconsin Tuesday, May 4, 2021. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Brewing Experience at Old World Wisconsin
Construction of the Brewing Experience building at Old World Wisconsin near Eagle is underway. The building will serve as an educational and event center and be home to a brewery. Wittnebel's Tavern, seen at left in this rendering, will be moved later this year to the site from Old Ashippun, where the family-owned tavern was founded in 1906.
Wittnebel's Tavern
Jim Draeger, far right, an architectural historian with the Wisconsin Historical Society, sits at the bar of Wittnebel's Tavern in 2017 and speaks with family members about the business that was founded in 1906.
Wittnebel's Tavern
Frank and Fanny Wittnebel founded their tavern in 1906 along what is now Highway 67 in Old Ashippun. They are seen here in this photo from the 1940s holding their grandson, Jim Wittnebel, next to a stack of wooden beer crates from the Lithia Beer Co. in West Bend.
Wittnebel's Tavern
This aerial photo from the 1940s shows the quaint tavern and home of the Wittnebel family in rural Dodge County.
Wittnebel's Tavern
Jim Draeger, far right, an architectural historian with the Wisconsin Historical Society, sits Monday at the bar of Wittnebel's Tavern and speaks with family members about the business that was founded in 1906. The tavern, attached to the Wittnebel home along Highway 67 in Old Ashippun, closed in 1987 but has been preserved for the past 30 years. Last week the fixtures, including the stools, were removed and donated to the Historical Society.
Wittnebel's Tavern
Workers from the Wisconsin Historical Society move the front bar from Wittnebel's Tavern in Old Ashippun to a moving truck Thursday.
Wittnebel's Tavern
Workers from the Wisconsin Historical Society, including Joe Kapler, right, curator of cultural history, move a portion of the back bar from Wittnebel's Tavern in Old Ashippun on to a truck. The Historical Society would like to put the bar fixtures back in service but has not yet formulated a plan for the historic pieces that also include 10 bar stools, the front bar and a walk-in wooden beer cooler.
Wittnebel's Tavern
An old dartball score sheet was discovered during the removal of a bar from the historic Wittnebel's Tavern in Old Ashippun. The tavern was a regular spot for dartball teams from throughout the area with games played in an upstairs hall.
Whittnebels Tavern 11-11102017110428
Tom Wittnebel, a third generation member of the family-owned Wittnebel's Tavern in Old Ashippun, Wis. walks past an antique cash register, which, along with the former business' historic bar, is being donated to the Wisconsin Historical Society Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Wittnebel's Tavern
Barb Lund, a third generation of the family-owned Wittnebel's Tavern in Old Ashippun, spends a few final moments Thursday with the former business' historic bar, which has been donated to the Wisconsin Historical Society. The roadside tavern was founded by her grandparents in 1906 but has been closed since 1987.
Wittnebel's Tavern
This has been an emotional year for Barb Lund, who lost her mother and a sister. Last week, fixtures from the tavern that has been in the family since 1906 and attached to the family home, were donated to the Wisconsin Historical Society. But she is pleased that the fixtures could someday be part of an exhibit and enjoyed by others for years to come.
Wittnebel Tavern Move 05-05112021114734
Workers with Findorff Construction and Heritage Movers work to prepare the former Wittnebel Tavern in Old Ashippun, Wis. for a move to Old World Wisconsin Tuesday, May 4, 2021. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Wittnebel Tavern Move 03-05112021114734
Workers with Findorff Construction and Heritage Movers work to prepare the former Wittnebel Tavern in Old Ashippun, Wis. for a move to Old World Wisconsin Tuesday, May 4, 2021. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Wittnebel Tavern Move 04-05112021114734
The former Wittnebel Tavern in Old Ashippun, Wis. is readied for transport to Old World Wisconsin by workers with Heritage Movers Tuesday, May 11, 2021. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Wittnebel's Tavern on the Move
Workers with Findorff Construction and Heritage Movers work to prepare Wittnebel's Tavern in Old Ashippun last week for its move Tuesday to Old World Wisconsin. The tavern, constructed in 1906, will become part of a new Brewing Experience exhibit at the state historic site near Eagle.
Wittnebel's Tavern
This has been an emotional year for Barb Lund, who lost her mother and a sister. Last week, fixtures from the tavern that has been in the family since 1906 and attached to the family home, were donated to the Wisconsin Historical Society. But she is pleased that the fixtures could someday be part of an exhibit and enjoyed by others for years to come.
