MONROE — The National Historic Cheesemaking Center owes its existence primarily to the vision of a tourism director, the determination of a cheesemaker, the foresight of members of Historic Monroe, an organization devoted to historic preservation, and the serendipity that brought them all together.

The late Larry Lindgren was the Green County Tourism Coordinator. He and the late John Bussman, a cheesemaker from Warren, Illinois, were interested in preserving the history and artifacts of the cheese industry. They determined to commemorate “an era that was that will never be again.”

Providentially, in 1979, Monroe’s old Milwaukee Road Depot building, left to deteriorate, was eyed by Historic Monroe as a building worth saving. A committee that included the late Sue Disch, Dennis Dalton, Sharon Riese and Donna Bahler spearheaded Historic Monroe in acquiring and moving the building to its present location in 1993.

After 6,000 man-hours (the majority of them volunteer) spent in restoration, and an expenditure of more than $100,000, the Depot was restored. Enter the Cheesemakers: during the restoration they partnered with Historic Monroe and the museum was opened to visitors in July of 1995.  

Today, 25 years later, the old Depot building continues to serve as the National Historic Cheesemaking Center as well as the Green County Welcome Center. Director Donna Douglas and Assistant Director Deb Briggs, as well as countless volunteers, welcome guests from all over the United States and many foreign countries.

Everyone involved with the organization is focused on fulfilling the Center’s mission statement: “The National Historic Cheesemaking Center museum’s primary mission is to educate the public about the heritage and art of cheesemaking.”