About the Event
Event Details
Wednesday, July 9, 2025 | 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 10, 2025 | 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Lesson times are on the hour beginning at 8:00 a.m.
Cost
$35 per person
Advanced registration is required. Guests must be 13+ to attend.
Society members receive a 10% discount, please verify your membership where prompted to receive discount at check out.
PURCHASE TICKETS
Overview
The grip of driving reins, the creak of carriage wheels, the sight of picturesque hills and trees rolling by—have you ever wondered what it feels like to drive a carriage? During this entertaining and educational clinic, watch and observe carriage drivers learn from expert trainer Joe Yoder, a title-winning, carriage driving professional and a passionate equine enthusiast. As Yoder conducts lessons with participants, learn more about the different skills required of drivers, from harnessing to rein and whip holding to training a green horse. In addition to the clinic, learning audit participants will also be able to tour the Wesley W. Jung Carriage Museum. Attendees must be 13+ to participate.
Additional Experiences
Sign up for an individual lesson of your own to learn more about carriage driving.
Lunch and learn sessions featuring Joe Yoder are available at no extra cost during the day of your lesson and will cover questions you have on carriage driving-related subjects.
About the Instructor
Joe Yoder is a seasoned carriage-driving professional with a history of excellence in competitive driving. Raised on an Amish farm in Iowa, Yoder cultivated a lifelong passion for horses, and began his show career in 2004. As an up-and-coming driver, Yoder made a name for himself driving a four-in-hand in 2010 and claimed the USEF National Pair Championship title at the Live Oak International in Ocala, Florida. The following year, he represented the U.S. Team in Germany, earning an International Bronze Medal. An alum of the Fraser School of Driving, Yoder has competed in the Advanced level at CDEs with a four-in-hand and is a Champion US Pairs driver.
Recently, Yoder served as the Director of Carriage Driving at Kohler Stables in Kohler, Wisconsin. While serving as the Whip for The Kohler Four-In-Hand, Yoder won the World Champion Carriage Driving Multiple and World Champion Carriage Driving Obstacle Multiple competitions. Today, Yoder dedicates his time to driving, training horses and teaching driving lessons at Yoder’s Combined Training in Hancock, Wisconsin, along with his wife, Theresa.
About the Location
The cozy, elegant Wade House Stagecoach Inn was constructed conveniently between the cities of Fond du Lac and Sheboygan, along a well-used stagecoach trail, making the 27-room Greek Revival hotel a popular resting point for weary travelers. Three generations of the Wade family resided on the Wade House property, with the inn operating until around 1872. The Kohler family and the Kohler Foundation purchased Wade House in 1950 and began a top-to-bottom restoration. The site became property of the Wisconsin Historical Society and opened to the public in 1953. Here, visitors can journey back to the horse-powered world that existed before planes, cars, and trains. The site features the stagecoach hotel built and owned by Sylvanus and Betsey Wade, the first European settlers of Greenbush, as well as a blacksmith shop, sawmill, visitor center and the Wesley W. Jung Carriage Museum, which houses Wisconsin’s largest collection of carriages and wagons. Visitors can enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides from the visitor center to the historic core and back again.
Wade House
W7965 State Highway 23
Greenbush, WI 53026
Know Before You Go & Accessibility
Your ticket purchase time is your start time. Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to this time.
Bring your equine partner and horse-drawn vehicle.
Check in at Wade House’s Horse Arena.
Your lesson ticket purchase includes lunch and learn on the day of your lesson.
The museum store is open daily during business hours.
Guests may exit and return throughout the day.
Water is the only outside food/beverage allowed.
Food/beverage are available for purchase.
Restrooms and water fountains are available on site.
The site will remain open rain or shine.
Guests are encouraged to wear good walking shoes and to dress for the weather.
No pets are allowed. Service animals are permitted.
Because of the historic nature of the buildings, not all areas are ADA accessible.
Guests with additional mobility needs are encouraged to contact the site directly at 920-526-3271 or wadehouse@wisconsinhistory.org.
Contact
For more information, please contact the box office at 608-264-4848 or boxoffice@wisconsinhistory.org.
