Thank you for all of your support this year
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Watch this site for exciting schedule for next year
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Thank you for all of your support this year 🪖 Watch this site for exciting schedule for next year 🪖
Where History Comes Alive in Menomonee Falls
Old Falls Village Park is a nonprofit historic village offering reenactments, educational programs, gardens, and community events throughout the year.
A New Chapter in Our Mission
Friends of Old Falls Village is entering an important new chapter. Read our latest update about the future of our organization, our remaining 2026 events, and what comes next.
A New Name, the Same People Bringing History to Life
Our New Chapter
With the conclusion of our October 9–11 World War I and Oktoberfest weekend, Friends of Old Falls Village has completed its 2026 event season and is preparing for a significant transition. As we move forward as Heritage & History Guild, we are seeking new locations for the educational programs, living-history weekends, and community celebrations that have brought thousands of visitors to Old Falls Village Park.
Our name and locations are changing. The people, experience, and commitment behind our events will carry forward.
Who was behind the events?
For many visitors, the distinction between Friends of Old Falls Village and the Menomonee Falls Historical Society has not been clear. Both organizations have been associated with the same park, and our former name reinforced that connection.
Friends of Old Falls Village and the Menomonee Falls Historical Society are separate organizations, with separate leadership and operations.
Our board, volunteers, and supporters organized and produced our event program. Many visitors understandably assumed these were Historical Society programs or that the organizations operated together. That confusion has often left our contributions unrecognized.
Friends recruited reenactors and entertainers, coordinated vendors and volunteers, promoted programs, arranged educational activities, and managed setup, admissions, and event operations. Our programming has included Revolutionary War, World War II, Vietnam-era, and World War I events, along with Renaissance Faire, Pirate Fest, Easter Egg Hunt, and other community activities.
The Historical Society also plays a role in preserving local history. Accurately recognizing that work also means recognizing the independent contributions of Friends of Old Falls Village—now Heritage & History Guild.
A record worth celebrating
Our events drew more than 6,000 paid attendees in 2025, bringing substantial attention to Old Falls Village Park. They introduced new audiences to the site and gave returning visitors reasons to come back throughout the season.
The impact extends beyond attendance. School-day programs have given students opportunities to explore encampments, examine historical equipment, and speak directly with knowledgeable interpreters. Families have discovered history through demonstrations, music, storytelling, and conversations that make the past easier to understand.
Friends also invested in the park itself, including accessible concrete pathways that will continue to benefit visitors after we leave. Those improvements, volunteer labor, and event promotion represent a lasting contribution to a public place.
These accomplishments reflect the dedication of volunteers, reenactors, educators, veterans, musicians, vendors, donors, sponsors, and supporters. We are proud of their work and grateful for the community that has grown around our programs.
Our Transition Journey
The transition follows an extended period of difficulties involving communication, coordination, and differing expectations about our role at the park. From our organization’s perspective, those challenges prevented the stable, cooperative working relationship needed to plan confidently for the future.
The Menomonee Falls Historical Society has not supported our continued presence at the park, and we were told by the Village in May that our lease would not be renewed. Faced with those circumstances, our board decided to have the best event season as possible and start planning towards finding a new location for our community-orientated historical themed events.
We have asked the Village for assistance in identifying another location so our events can remain in Menomonee Falls. We remain willing to work constructively with Village officials, including the new administration, and other potential partners. Our priority is preserving programs that serve families, students, and history enthusiasts while giving our volunteers a practical setting in which to continue their work.
Why Heritage & History Guild?
Our new name establishes an identity independent of a particular property and helps resolve longstanding confusion about our relationship with the Menomonee Falls Historical Society.
“Heritage” also reflects the breadth of our interests. Living history remains central, alongside opportunities involving music, art, photography, traditional crafts, exhibits, and storytelling. These experiences connect people with the everyday lives, skills, and traditions of earlier generations.
Our mission can travel. A new park, community venue, historic property, or future permanent home can become a place where children and adults discover history together.
What it takes to host living history
Our larger living-history weekends typically span three days, with one to two additional days for setup and one day for cleanup. Reenactors establish period-specific camps and stay overnight in their tents, creating the setting that makes these events immersive.
Programs include weapons demonstrations and theatrical, educational mock battles using weapons adapted to fire blanks. At Renaissance events, carried weapons are peace-tied, and only performers may use weapons for demonstrations. Safety and historical authenticity are central priorities, and we coordinate activities and site requirements with the host venue.
Suitable locations need room for encampments, demonstrations, parking, accessible visitor routes, and appropriate facilities. Affordable rental arrangements covering the full setup, event, and cleanup period will be important to keeping our programs viable.
We welcome conversations with municipalities, park operators, historical organizations, schools, and private property owners interested in hosting events. Different programs may be held at different sites, depending on their needs.
Benefits beyond the event grounds
Our programs provide immersive educational experiences for students and family-friendly weekend activities for the public. They also bring visitors and participants into the host community.
Visitors and reenactors often book local hotel stays and make purchases at restaurants, stores, and other businesses. Hosting these programs creates opportunities for community partnerships while drawing attention to local destinations.
We hope to retain those benefits in Menomonee Falls where workable arrangements can be made, while exploring opportunities elsewhere in the region.
A longer-term vision: Guild Heritage Center
Alongside our search for event venues, we are developing a vision for Guild Heritage Center, a permanent home for hands-on history education, exhibits, and community programming.
This remains a development goal, not an announced property acquisition. Establishing a center will require a suitable site, financial support, and community partnerships. Assistance could include donated land, an affordable property opportunity, a major project sponsor, professional expertise, materials, or introductions to people who can help.
A permanent home would provide greater continuity and allow us to keep collaborating on programs throughout the region.
Help carry the story forward
We invite the public to follow our announcements, volunteer, support our programs, and share leads on event sites or a future permanent home. Businesses and community organizations can help through sponsorships, services, and partnerships.
Supporters can also make a difference by helping others understand who produced the events they enjoyed and where to find our future programs.
We are proud of what Friends of Old Falls Village accomplished at the park. Our next chapter will build on that experience, our volunteers' dedication, and the enthusiasm of the people who return year after year.
While our name is changing, our commitment to bringing history alive continues.
About Heritage & History Guild
Heritage & History Guild is the new public identity of Friends of Old Falls Village, Inc., an independent nonprofit established in 2022. Its work brings history, heritage, arts, and culture to life through educational programming, living-history events, reenactments, storytelling, and community partnerships.
Media and partnership inquiries: Jeffrey R. Klug, President – jeffrey@oldfallsvillagepark.com
Preserving Yesterday.
Inspiring Tomorrow.
Support Friends of Old Falls Village Park, Now Heritage and History Guild
Heritage and History Guild is dedicated to preserving, sharing, and celebrating the stories, traditions, arts, and experiences that have shaped our communities. Through living-history programs, historical reenactments, educational presentations, museums, exhibits, music, art, photography, traditional crafts, and cultural events, we inspire people of all ages to connect with the past, engage with the present, and preserve our shared heritage for future generations.
Your support helps ensure that these educational and cultural experiences remain available for future generations.
Make a Lasting Impact
Your contribution helps us continue offering meaningful educational experiences that inspire curiosity, learning, and appreciation for our shared heritage. Every gift, regardless of size, directly supports our mission of connecting people with history through engaging and interactive programs.
Ways to Give
One-Time Donation
Make a tax-deductible contribution to support educational programs, events, and community outreach.
Monthly Giving
Provide reliable, ongoing support that helps sustain our programs throughout the year.
Program Sponsorship
Help underwrite educational initiatives, school-day programs, living-history events, exhibits, and special community activities.
Featured Project: ADA Accessibility Path
Thanks to the generosity of our donors and supporters, the new ADA-compliant pathway connecting the parking lot and pavilion has now been completed and installed. This important improvement helps ensure that visitors of all ages and abilities can comfortably access and enjoy our educational programs, events, and community activities.
Future contributions will help support additional educational programming, exhibits, accessibility initiatives, and community engagement opportunities that further our mission.
Thank You
Thank you for investing in history, education, and community. Your generosity helps us preserve, share, and bring history to life through programs and experiences that educate, inspire, and connect generations.
Tax-Deductible Donation Notice
Friends of Old Falls Village Park is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. No goods or services were provided in exchange for your donation.
Discover Old Falls Village Park
Dive into History and Nature's Beauty
Uncover the charm of Old Falls Village Park, situated on an expansive 18.8-acre canvas, set amidst a tranquil forested backdrop and adorned with a melodious babbling brook. Embark on a journey through time as you explore the historic buildings that stand testament to the park's rich past - from the rustic barn to the welcoming caretaker's residence. Marvel at the architectural gem that is the former summer abode of Emma Davison, a place that once was graced by the presence of Harley-Davidson co-founder Walter Davidson and his beloved wife.
Why These Events Matter
At Old Falls Village Park, history isn’t something you read about—it’s something you experience.
Each year, thousands of visitors step into the past through living-history events that bring real stories, real people, and real learning to life. From Revolutionary War encampments to World War II battle reenactments, from Renaissance Faire jousting to immersive seasonal experiences like Spooky Walk, our events offer something rare: connection.
Guests consistently tell us that these events:
Make history understandable and engaging for children
Create meaningful moments for families and veterans
Inspire curiosity, learning, and return visits
Strengthen community pride and shared heritage
Our park attracts first-time visitors from across Wisconsin and beyond, introducing new audiences to Menomonee Falls while supporting local tourism and small businesses. Just as important, many guests return year after year—bringing friends, volunteering, and becoming part of our growing community.
These events succeed because of dedicated volunteers, passionate reenactors, and strong community partnerships. Together, they transform Old Falls Village Park into more than a venue—it becomes a living classroom, a gathering place, and a bridge between generations.
When guests say “We’ll be back” or “My child finally understands history,” that’s why these events matter.
Get in Touch
Feel free to contact us to learn more about our mission. Discover how you can play a vital role in preserving your community's rich history. Remember, your support makes all the difference to us, whether big or small.