Widmer’s Cheese Cellars Added to National Register of Historic Places

A slice of Wisconsin’s dairy history has officially been preserved for generations to come. The Wisconsin Historical Society announced that Widmer’s Cheese Cellars in Theresa, Dodge County, was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 11, 2025.

Founded in 1922 by Swiss immigrant John O. Widmer, the small, family-owned factory has been continuously operated by four generations of Widmer cheesemakers. Its flagship Brick Cheese, a variety that originated in Dodge County, remains at the heart of the business more than a century later. Using the same bricks in the same location since its beginning, the factory is one of the last of its kind still in operation in the county.

Cheesemaking became a vital industry across Wisconsin in the late 19th century, and Dodge County quickly rose to prominence as the center of Brick Cheese production. Apprenticing under a local cheesemaker, John Widmer mastered the craft before establishing his own operation in downtown Theresa. As he passed down natural cheesemaking techniques and time-honored recipes, the factory adapted to the demands of the modern era with larger production spaces, refrigerated tanks, stainless steel equipment, and mechanical refrigeration — all while staying true to its heritage.

“Earlier this spring, the Wisconsin Historical Society announced that Widmer’s Cheese Cellars would be listed on the State Register of Historic Places. I’m pleased to share that as of August 11, it has been officially added to the National Register,” said Sen. Dan Feyen. “I can’t think of a better addition to that list than one of the remaining family-owned and operated cheese factories in Dodge County.”

The Widmer’s Cheese Cellars property at 214 West Henni Street includes buildings dating as far back as the 1880s, with expansions in the 20th and 21st centuries to meet new industry standards. Its continuous operation and enduring role in Dodge County’s dairy industry earned it recognition as a historically significant site in the category of Industry.

The Wisconsin Historical Society noted that Widmer’s stands as a rare surviving example of a small, family-owned cheese factory. While many similar operations have disappeared or been consolidated, the Widmer family has preserved both the tradition of handcrafting cheese and the physical site where that legacy began.

The designation secures Widmer’s place not only in local history but also in the broader story of Wisconsin’s identity as “America’s Dairyland.”