2025 SPECIAL EVENTS

For the latest news on museum events, check out Castlerock Museum on Facebook!

Castlerock Arms and Armor Facebook Page

Upcoming Major Events:

Fire in the Shire
Saturday, June 7th from 10am - 4pm

Castlerock Museum’s annual Fire in the Shire event, a citywide celebration of all things medieval.

The highlight of the day will be the various demonstrations taking place on the street in front of the museum. Kazimir the Hungry will be breathing fire and swallowing swords at 10am, 12:20pm and 3:10pm. The Wisconsin Historical Fencing Association will demonstrate the longsword at 10:30am, rapier, dagger, and smallsword at 11:40am, the quarterstaff and poleaxe at 1:20pm, and messer and sword and buckler at 2:30pm. Visitors can learn about Armor through the Ages at 11:10am. Clann Tartan will do a pike demo at 12:50pm and a non-firing matchlock demo at 2pm.

There will be ongoing displays by Clann Tartan, A Life Medieval, and Hangin’ with the Bard in the museum courtyard. Bardmageddon will perform in the museum theater at 1pm and 3pm and One Eye Dave’s Hotdogs will provide concessions. The museum closes at 4pm.

Admission wristbands are $8 for adults and $5 for students. Visitors in ancient, medieval, or renaissance era dress get $2 off and children four and under are free.

Visitors interested in searching for the fabled “Holy Grail” in the shops of the shire can enter a drawing to win the treasured artifact along with $100 Alma Dollars. The drawing will be held at 3:40pm at the Castle. Participating businesses include Fire & Ice, Alma Leather, W Whiffs, Water Lily Gifts, Wings Over Alma, Happy Hub, Alma Bakery, Stump Town Gallery, Riverside Bait & Liquor, Unparalleled Farms, and The Garden Gate.

There will be plenty of merry making with the Midwest Renaissance Actors Guild and Luna Ruh Belly Dancers performing on Main Street. Check out the museum’s Facebook page for the latest event info.


Lectures & Programs:
Most lectures and programs are held in the museum's theater area. Seating is limited. Contact the museum at 608-685-4231 or info@castlerockmuseum.com for reservations. Admission is $6 for adults and $4 for students, unless otherwise noted. Museum members receive a 50% discount on most events.


Historic Lock Design and Theory
Saturday, April 12th at 2pm
Join local blacksmith Thomas Latane for a program on “The Defensive Theory Behind Preindustrial Iron Locks.” This discussion will cover keys and keyhole shapes, tumblers, multiple bolts, springs, and wards and their early manufacture. Tom will bring several examples of his work for visitors to see.

Arming Up for Battle
Saturday, May 17th at 2pm
Join museum volunteers, Jamie LaBreck and Patrick Kelly for a special presentation on “Arming Up for Battle” in the Middle Ages. The program will start with a brief discussion of the evolution of armor, followed by a demonstration of how a man-at-arms of the 1400’s would get into his harness. Afterwards, there will be a fighting demonstration in the museum courtyard, weather permitting.

Women in Warfare
Saturday, July 19th at 2pm
Join museum volunteer Luke Kramer for a lecture on the role of women in ancient and medieval warfare. Luke will focus on specific historical accounts of individual women, such as Queen Boudica who led a revolt in Roman Britain, Joan of Arc who inspired the French during the Hundred Years’ War, and Jeanne “Hachette” who used an axe to help defend Beauvais, France.

Medieval Myths and Misconceptions
Saturday, August 9th at 2pm
Join Patrick Kelly for a look at common myths and misconceptions about the Middle Ages that still exist today. Patrick Kelly is a museum volunteer and reenactor who also works as a cutler at Arms and Armor in Minneapolis.

From Forest to Furniture
Saturday, September 27th from 10am-4pm
Join Tom Latane, Paul Nyborg, and Derek Olson as they demonstrate woodworking techniques used since the days when woodworkers walked into the woods for their material and began the work on the forest floor. Spectators will be able to visit with the woodworkers as the chips fly.

Bardmageddon Concert
Saturday, October 18th (Time TBD)
Join the musical group Bardmageddon for a special concert in the museum theater. Bardmageddon collects and revitalizes the very best traditional Celtic tunes to bring you music with a rich, historical soul and a fresh, energetic sound. Using violin, guitar, bodhrán, and vocals to create their music, they will enchant and inspire you with their bardic performance!

Meet the Vikings
Saturday, November 1st from 10am-4pm
Join us for a daylong celebration of all things “Viking.” Reenactors will be on hand to answer questions about Viking history, culture, technology, clothing, and weapons. Visitors can also see several actual Viking era artifacts on exhibit including a spangenhelm, chieftain’s sword, and Danish axe.