EAGLE — This space has meaning for Roni Schultz.
Jim Wittnebel, left, and his wife, Barb, with their niece, Roni Schultz, visit their family’s historic tavern, which was moved in pieces from Old Ashippun to Old World Wisconsin in 2021. The tavern, which closed in 1987 after 81 years of business, includes a replica linoleum floor, the original front and back bars, and the wooden beer cooler. The original 10 bar stools from the bar are in the Brewhouse building next door, where beer is made in kettles over a fire.
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Visitors get a look at the remodeled historic Wittnebel’s Tavern that was established in 1906 by Frank and Fanny Wittnebel along Highway 67 a few miles north of Oconomowoc. The building, now at Old World Wisconsin, includes a sign for Lithia, a defunct beer brand that was produced in West Bend and at one time served at Wittnebel’s.
Rob Novak, brewmaster at Old World Wisconsin near Eagle, pours samples of Fox Brau, one of four brands of beer being served on tap at Wittnebel’s Tavern, which was moved to the historic site from Old Ashippun in 2021. The tavern has been renovated and decorated like the 1930s post-Prohibition rural tavern it once was. It will open to the public on Saturday.
The Brewhouse, left, and historic Wittnebel’s Tavern combine to create the $5.5 million Brewing Experience at Old World Wisconsin near Eagle.
Jennifer Young, collections and exhibits coordinator at Old World Wisconsin, shows off the vintage cash register inside Wittnebel’s Tavern, which is now set up to reflect a 1930s rural Wisconsin tavern. Other details include a rack of landjaegers, left, and, on the shelf, a tin container of potato chips, a crock of Kaukauna Cheese, an antique radio and jars of pickled beets and hard boiled eggs.
Mark Scholl spent more than 30 years working at a power plant in Whitewater but is now a bartender at Wittnebel’s Tavern at Old World Wisconsin. The bar, back bar and the wooden beer cooler, at left, are original to the tavern, which was founded in 1906.
Roni Schultz, fourth generation of the family-owned Wittnebel’s Tavern, shows a photo of herself, when she was about 7 years old in the early 1980s, standing in the tavern. The business, established in 1906 was connected to her grandmother’s farmhouse in Old Ashippun.
Visitors get a look at the remodeled historic Wittnebel’s Tavern, which was moved in 2021 in pieces from Old Ashippun to Old World Wisconsin. The walls of the tavern include posters promoting the Green Bay Packers, the 1939 premiere of “The Wizard of Oz” at the Strand Theatre in Oconomowoc and another about International Harvester farm machinery.
In May 2021, two of the three sections of Wittnebel’s Tavern in Old Ashippun headed south on Highway 67 near Oconomowoc. The 27-mile move to Old World Wisconsin took about 95 minutes.
Photos: Historic Wittnebel’s Tavern at Old World Wisconsin
The remodeled historic Wittnebel’s Tavern, which was moved in pieces from Old Ashippun to Old World Wisconsin, in Eagle, Wis. Wednesday, May 14, 2025. The tavern was founded in 1906 by Frank and Fanny Wittnebel, and it was operated by the family until it closed in 1987. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Jim Wittnebel, left, and his wife, Barb, with their niece, Roni Schultz, visit their family’s historic tavern, which was moved in pieces from Old Ashippun to Old World Wisconsin in 2021. The tavern, which closed in 1987 after 81 years of business, includes a replica linoleum floor, the original front and back bars, and the wooden beer cooler. The original 10 bar stools from the bar are in the Brewhouse building next door, where beer is made in kettles over a fire.
Mark Scholl spent more than 30 years working at a power plant in Whitewater but is now a bartender at Wittnebel’s Tavern at Old World Wisconsin. The bar, back bar and the wooden beer cooler, at left, are original to the tavern, which was founded in 1906.
A sign on the outside of the remodeled historic Wittnebel’s Tavern, which was moved in pieces from Old Ashippun to Old World Wisconsin, before it opens to the public on May 17 in Eagle, Wis. Wednesday, May 14, 2025. The tavern was founded in 1906 by Frank and Fanny Wittnebel, and it was operated by the family until it closed in 1987. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
The Biergarten behind the Brewhouse and historic Wittnebel’s Tavern, which was moved in pieces from Old Ashippun to Old World Wisconsin, in Eagle, Wis. Wednesday, May 14, 2025. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Rob Novak, brewing experience coordinator, in the Brewhouse that have the original stools from Wittnebel’s Tavern, which was moved in pieces from Old Ashippun to Old World Wisconsin, in Eagle, Wis. Wednesday, May 14, 2025. The tavern was founded in 1906 by Frank and Fanny Wittnebel, and it was operated by the family until it closed in 1987. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
(From left) Jim Wittnebel, Roni Schultz, Tom Wittnebel and Barb Lund get a look at their family’s remodeled historic tavern, which was moved in pieces from Old Ashippun to Old World Wisconsin, before it opens to the public on May 17 in Eagle, Wis. Wednesday, May 14, 2025. Wittnebel’s Tavern was founded in 1906 by Frank and Fanny Wittnebel, and it was operated by the family until it closed in 1987. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
The remodeled historic Wittnebel’s Tavern, which was moved in pieces from Old Ashippun to Old World Wisconsin, in Eagle, Wis. Wednesday, May 14, 2025. The tavern was founded in 1906 by Frank and Fanny Wittnebel, and it was operated by the family until it closed in 1987. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Rob Novak, brewmaster at Old World Wisconsin near Eagle, pours samples of Fox Brau, one of four brands of beer being served on tap at Wittnebel’s Tavern, which was moved to the historic site from Old Ashippun in 2021. The tavern has been renovated and decorated like the 1930s post-Prohibition rural tavern it once was. It will open to the public on Saturday.
Visitors get a look at the remodeled historic Wittnebel’s Tavern that was established in 1906 by Frank and Fanny Wittnebel along Highway 67 a few miles north of Oconomowoc. The building, now at Old World Wisconsin, includes a sign for Lithia, a defunct beer brand that was produced in West Bend and at one time served at Wittnebel’s.
A photograph of the Wittnebel family is displayed next to the bar at the remodeled historic tavern, which was moved in pieces from Old Ashippun to Old World Wisconsin, in Eagle, Wis. Wednesday, May 14, 2025. Wittnebel’s Tavern was founded in 1906 by Frank and Fanny Wittnebel, and it was operated by the family until it closed in 1987. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Visitors get a look at the remodeled historic Wittnebel’s Tavern, which was moved in 2021 in pieces from Old Ashippun to Old World Wisconsin. The walls of the tavern include posters promoting the Green Bay Packers, the 1939 premiere of “The Wizard of Oz” at the Strand Theatre in Oconomowoc and another about International Harvester farm machinery.
The Brewhouse, left, and historic Wittnebel’s Tavern combine to create the $5.5 million Brewing Experience at Old World Wisconsin near Eagle.
Jennifer Young, collections and exhibits coordinator at Old World Wisconsin, shows off the vintage cash register inside Wittnebel’s Tavern, which is now set up to reflect a 1930s rural Wisconsin tavern. Other details include a rack of landjaegers, left, and, on the shelf, a tin container of potato chips, a crock of Kaukauna Cheese, an antique radio and jars of pickled beets and hard boiled eggs.
Roni Schultz, fourth generation of the family-owned Wittnebel’s Tavern, shows a photo of herself, when she was about 7 years old in the early 1980s, standing in the tavern. The business, established in 1906 was connected to her grandmother’s farmhouse in Old Ashippun.
The original bathroom of the historic Wittnebel’s Tavern, which was moved in pieces from Old Ashippun to Old World Wisconsin, in Eagle, Wis. Wednesday, May 14, 2025. The tavern was founded in 1906 by Frank and Fanny Wittnebel, and it was operated by the family until it closed in 1987. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
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.
After being moved in three pieces from Old Ashippun, the former Wittnebel’s Tavern is back together again and is about to undergo a major restoration.
Dan Freas, director of Old World Wisconsin, exits the fron door of the former Wittnebel’s Tavern which will be incorporated into the historical site’s new Brewing Experience and Brewhouse in Eagle, Wis. Tuesday, June 7, 2022. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
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
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.
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
In May, two sections of Wittnebel's Tavern in Old Ashippun headed south on Highway 67 near Oconomowoc. The 27-mile move to Old World Wisconsin took about 95 minutes.
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.
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
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
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
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.
Workers from the Wisconsin Historical Society move the front bar from Wittnebel's Tavern in Old Ashippun to a moving truck in 2017 to be placed in storage after being donated by the Wittnebel family. The building itself will be moved to Old World Wisconsin to re-create a 1930s-era roadside tavern.
An old dartball scoresheet was discovered during the removal of a bar in 2017 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.
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.
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.
Dan Freas, director of Old World Wisconsin, exits the fron door of the former Wittnebel’s Tavern which will be incorporated into the historical site’s new Brewing Experience and Brewhouse in Eagle, Wis. Tuesday, June 7, 2022. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
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
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
In May, two sections of Wittnebel's Tavern in Old Ashippun headed south on Highway 67 near Oconomowoc. The 27-mile move to Old World Wisconsin took about 95 minutes.
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.
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
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
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
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.
Workers from the Wisconsin Historical Society move the front bar from Wittnebel's Tavern in Old Ashippun to a moving truck in 2017 to be placed in storage after being donated by the Wittnebel family. The building itself will be moved to Old World Wisconsin to re-create a 1930s-era roadside 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.
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.
Barry Adams covers regional news for the Wisconsin State Journal. Send him ideas for On Wisconsin at 608-252-6148 or by email at badams@madison.com.
