So what is great about Wisconsin aside from it is where the hit series “That 70's Show” is presumed to have happened?
Wisconsin, a part of the Midwest, is home to the House on the Rock, a unique complex of structures, streets and gardens designed by Alex Jordan, Jr. The architectural feat located in Spring Green is composed of the older structures: the House on the Rock itself, the Gate House, the Mill House; and the new features: the “Streets of Yesterday,” the “Heritage of the Sea” and the “Music of Yesterday.”
The inspiration for this architectural wonder came when Jordan Sr. drove to Taliesen with Sid Boyum to show Frank Lloyd Wright plans for a building. Wright rejected him and said, “I wouldn't hire you to design a cheese crate or a chicken coop. You're not capable.” Frustrated, Jordan Sr. drove back and pointed to a spire of rocks, saying he will build a Japanese house on one of the rock pinnacles.
The Japanese-inspired House itself is situated on top of of Deer Shelter Rock which stands around 60 feet tall. It contains antiques such as Tiffany lamps and grand furniture. Complimenting the collections of the house is the Streets of Yesterday, a reminder of a 20th century American town. The Heritage of the Sea exhibits a 200-foot model of a whale-like creature as well as other sea creatures. The Music of Yesterday houses music machines, the world's largest carousel, and in Christmas, a huge collection of Santa Claus figures.
Can't get enough of museums? Wisconsin also houses the Circus World Museum that tells the history of circus. Deeded to the Wisconsin Historical Society, the museum is located in Baraboo, Wisconsin the home of the Ringling Brothers. The brothers owned the now Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, the largest surviving circus company in the United States.
The Circus World Museum is actually a complex of several exhibits. The Ringlingville contains the original remaining buildings that offer specific historical information on the Ringling Brothers Circus. The C.P. Fox Wagon Restoration Center is where antique circus wagons are refurbished, and are then stored in the he W.W. Deppe Wagon Pavilion. The Robert L. Parkinson Library and Research Center is a facility that holds books, magazines, periodicals and other print materials that pertain to circus. It is open to the public and charges no entrance fee to visitors.
But of course, the circus experience is not complete without witnessing circus acts themselves. The Circus World Museum features daily circus performances and magic shows. All these are done inside the complex's hippodrome, a big-top that is permanently set on the ground for spectators.
Hungry after a tour around Wisconsin? Try Wisconsin cheese! The state produces a quarter of the country's cheese making it USA's leader in cheese-making, and it is second to California in milk production. In the 1890s, Wisconsin farmers shifted to dairy production to make more profit. Today, Wisconsin is considered as the America's Dairyland, producing more than 600 varieties of cheese, such as fontina, havarti, gouda, cheddar, mozzarella, romano and parmesan.
With the crazy architectural feats and the obsession with cheese, one will surely love Wisconsin.
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