Old-fashioned cheesemaking event features Master, retired cheesemakers

MONROE

Plans are literally rolling along for an event June 11 here in the heart of cheese country, where 'cheese is our culture,' featuring a live demonstration of how cheese was made more than a century ago.

The special day relives a great tradition and centers in the 100-year-old Imobersteg Farmstead Cheese Factory, which was relocated to the National Historic Cheesemaking Center's campus and restored several years ago.

Current Master Cheese makers, joined by numerous retired cheesemakers, will make a 90-pound wheel of Swiss cheese right before your eyes. The day begins at approximately 9:30 a.m. and attendees are invited to lend a hand, stirring the kettle of milk as it is heated. The cheesemaking process continues throughout the morning until a completed 90-pound wheel of Swiss cheese is on the press table.

The old-fashioned cheesemaking event also features a restored horse-drawn milk wagon from the early 1900s. Tours of a rib-side caboose, also located on the Center's grounds, will be open to visitors

Other attractions include free admission to view the National Historic Cheesemaking Center's museum, full of artifacts and rich cheese factory history. Tours will be conducted throughout the day, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cheese Spread demonstrations in the afternoon at 1 p.m. in the Heritage Room at the restored late 1880s train depot Cheesemaking Museum

The National Historic Cheesemaking concession stand will feature cream puffs, master grilled cheese sandwiches and beverages serving throughout the day. You will enjoy live accordion music, yodeling and alphorn selections at the event.

There is also a Milk House Gift Shop and the Green County Welcome Center that provides information about local businesses and attractions throughout Green County and surrounding communities, in both Illinois and Wisconsin..

Executive Director Donna Douglas said, 'We invite everyone to come out and take a turn stirring the kettle, where 'cheese is our culture.'' There will be fun for everyone to participate in.

The National Historic Cheesemaking Center is located at the corner of Wis. 69 and 21st St., Monroe.