Feel the presence of a strong cheesemaking heritage. Experience the great stories our friendly volunteers will share, bringing you an era that was and a tradition that still thrives! The focus of the National Historic Cheesemaking Center museum recognizes the importance of the dairy farmers, cheesemaking, and all other phases of the industry, from the farm to the market.

Monroe, known as the “Gateway to Cheese Country”, is a small historic community in south central Wisconsin rich in heritage, tradition, technology, and the hard work of dairying and cheesemaking. An area rich in cheese, beer, and wine, conveniently located just 45 miles southwest of Madison, Wisconsin and 95 miles northwest of Chicago, Illinois.

Envision the manual labor required in a single farmstead factory. We have identified more than 200 cheese factories that were in operation in Green County between 1880 & 1920. Discover the leadership and innovation that Monroe area cheesemakers have provided throughout the years, molding Wisconsin into the country’s premier quality cheese producer.

At the National Historic Cheesemaking Center museum, the past comes alive with tours led by knowledgeable veteran cheesemakers and docents. Then, enter…”an era that was, that will never be again” as you step inside the Imobersteg Cheese Factory, restored and located on our campus, where a 90-pound wheel of Swiss cheese has been made, as it was done over 100 years ago.