NEW GLARUS

village, Green County, southern Wisconsin, U.S., on a branch of the Sugar River, 22 mi (35 km) southwest of Madison. Founded in 1845 by 193 immigrants from the canton of Glarus in Switzerland who had been driven from their homes by famine, it was organized on a semi-communal basis, with mineral rights and all streams and springs owned in common and the land apportioned by lot. The village (inc. 1901) is still largely populated by descendants of the original settlers. Located in a rich dairying region, New Glarus is noted for its Swiss cheese, as well as for Swiss-style embroidery. Tourism is important. Swiss Historical Village includes replicas of the buildings originally constructed on the site and a replica of a Swiss chalet. A Heidi (drama) Festival is held in June, a Swiss Volksfest celebrating Swiss Independence Day is held in August, and the Wilhelm Tell Festival in September includes the presentation of Friedrich Schiller's drama Wilhelm Tell. New Glarus Woods State Park is just south of the village. Pop. (1990) 1,899.