As we were reminded yet again by the performance of the local contingent at the annual American Cheese Society Competition (story in the Aug. 2 Monroe Times), Green County knows how to make great cheese.
Green County also knows how to celebrate its cheesemaking prowess, as will be in evidence next month during Cheese Days. But a local organization is looking to take that celebration to a new and permanent level.
The National Historic Cheesemakers have an effort under way to make Monroe and Green County the site of a national cheesemakers museum. It is an ambitious effort that deserves the support of Green County communities and public bodies.
Last week, the group's quiet pursuit became more public when about 50 representatives took a bus trip to Potosi to tour the National Brewery Museum. The group went there seeking ideas and guidance from the small town that established a $7 million museum that is expected to draw 40,000 to 50,000 visitors annually. The Potosi museum had 13,000 visitors in the first weeks after its June grand opening.
It is not unrealistic to expect that a museum in Monroe celebrating the history of cheesemaking could draw similar numbers. Some cooperation and clever marketing could make for a beer-and-cheese package destination between Monroe and Potosi, which are connected by a relatively short drive.
"If Potosi with a population of 711 can do this together, I believe Monroe can do whatever you are looking at doing," Potosi Village President Frank Fiorenza told the tour group.
"If there's ever going to be a National Historic Cheesemakers Museum, I'd love for it to be in Wisconsin; and if in Wisconsin, I'd love for it to be in Monroe," Fiorenza said.
Monroe and Green County are natural homes to such a museum. Perhaps it could be tied into the Monroe Main Street plans for a downtown culinary center.
National Historic Cheesemakers evolved from the Historic Cheesemakers and Historic Monroe groups. They were represented on the tour, along with Green County Development Corporation, Blackhawk Technical College, Monroe Main Street, the City of Monroe and the Monroe Chamber of Commerce.
These groups should be encouraged to continue their pursuit of a museum. Economic development need not always come in the form of new retail stores or factories. Tourism is another great way to strengthen an economy. Cheesemakers and their craft are a tremendous asset in Monroe and Green County. It is worthy of celebration on a national scale.
Green County also knows how to celebrate its cheesemaking prowess, as will be in evidence next month during Cheese Days. But a local organization is looking to take that celebration to a new and permanent level.
The National Historic Cheesemakers have an effort under way to make Monroe and Green County the site of a national cheesemakers museum. It is an ambitious effort that deserves the support of Green County communities and public bodies.
Last week, the group's quiet pursuit became more public when about 50 representatives took a bus trip to Potosi to tour the National Brewery Museum. The group went there seeking ideas and guidance from the small town that established a $7 million museum that is expected to draw 40,000 to 50,000 visitors annually. The Potosi museum had 13,000 visitors in the first weeks after its June grand opening.
It is not unrealistic to expect that a museum in Monroe celebrating the history of cheesemaking could draw similar numbers. Some cooperation and clever marketing could make for a beer-and-cheese package destination between Monroe and Potosi, which are connected by a relatively short drive.
"If Potosi with a population of 711 can do this together, I believe Monroe can do whatever you are looking at doing," Potosi Village President Frank Fiorenza told the tour group.
"If there's ever going to be a National Historic Cheesemakers Museum, I'd love for it to be in Wisconsin; and if in Wisconsin, I'd love for it to be in Monroe," Fiorenza said.
Monroe and Green County are natural homes to such a museum. Perhaps it could be tied into the Monroe Main Street plans for a downtown culinary center.
National Historic Cheesemakers evolved from the Historic Cheesemakers and Historic Monroe groups. They were represented on the tour, along with Green County Development Corporation, Blackhawk Technical College, Monroe Main Street, the City of Monroe and the Monroe Chamber of Commerce.
These groups should be encouraged to continue their pursuit of a museum. Economic development need not always come in the form of new retail stores or factories. Tourism is another great way to strengthen an economy. Cheesemakers and their craft are a tremendous asset in Monroe and Green County. It is worthy of celebration on a national scale.
