Hours:
Tuesday – Saturday 9:30AM – 4:30 PM
Closed Sundays and Mondays
During World Dairy Expo week open: Sunday – Saturday 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
National Dairy Shrine Museum is handicap accessible. Groups of 10 or more are encouraged to call for an appointment.
Discover the rich heritage of the dairy industry at the National Dairy Shrine Museum. Where else can you learn the history of ice cream, see a dog-powered butter churn and check out photos of champion cows dating back nine decades? You’ll leave with a better understanding of why, for nearly 8,000 years, people have depended on the dairy cow for life-sustaining milk and a better quality of life.
National Dairy Shrine Museum
Mission Statement
- Produce an enjoyable and memorable experience for visitors of all ages and walks of life.
- Publicly and permanently recognize dairy industry leaders who have been honored by National Dairy Shrine.
- Provide a high quality environment to display National Dairy Shrine’s collection of dairy artifacts and memorabilia.
- Actively acquire dairy artifacts or other items of significant value to the history of the dairy industry. (ie. Dairy production equipment, scientific dairy artifacts, dairy show memorabilia, dairy breed artifacts and dairy industry memorabilia)
- Educate the general public on the dairy industry of the past, present and future. To promote the benefits of the dairy industry.
- Work cooperatively with the Fort Atkinson Historical Society, the Hoard’s Museum staff, and the city of Fort Atkinson to continue a mutually beneficial relationship for the Museum complex.
Showcasing our Dairy Heritage
Listen to the ping of milk hitting the pail as a pioneer dairyman milks his brindle-colored cow. Eavesdrop on a dairy farm wife of the 19th century as she goes about the time-consuming tasks of separating cream and churning butter for her family.
Learn how modern manufacturing techniques have improved the availability and quality of milk, cheese, butter, yogurt and ice cream. And see how technology of the future will give us even more dairy product choices. Future dairy farmers will be more efficient yet ecologically friendly and more sustainable.
From milk stools to milk bottles, cow blankets to butter molds, families love to explore National Dairy Shrine’s extensive collection of dairy artifacts, gadgets and mementos.
Peruse the extensive Joe Eves Library of more than 850 dairy-related books that are on display.
And, don’t miss the National Dairy Hall of Fame portrait galleries and historical biographies recognizing dairy producers, scientists, business leaders, educators and others who have helped shape the modern dairy industry.
