31st Annual Cornish Festival & Celtic Celebration

Mineral Point, Wisconsin

Welcome to the 31st Annual Cornish Festival and Celtic Celebration! The Southwest Wisconsin Cornish Society was organized in 1991 with the purpose of preserving our Cornish heritage and identifying and strengthening our ties to Cornwall. We serve as an educational resource as we help Cornish Americans and others to understand Cornish heritage in Cornwall and around the world. The Cornish Festival in Mineral Point is our major project to further that understanding. Please check out our website to learn more or to join the society.

Event Calendar

Click any title for more details.

Friday, September 26, 2025

10:00 am-4:00 pm - Pendarvis Historic Site Tours. Corner of Shake Rag and Spruce Streets. $

In the 1830s and 1840s, settlers from the United States and Europe began to flow into the Wisconsin Territory. They were lured by the prospect of plentiful lead to be had in shallow diggings. As the easy lead became scarce, and greater technical knowledge was needed to work the earth for its deeper lead and zinc deposits, immigrants from Cornwall, England filled the need. These miners and their families made a lasting imprint. At Pendarvis, you can see their stone cottages and come to understand how their legacy was preserved in the twentieth century.

10:00 am-4:00 pm - Mineral Point Library Archives. High Street at Library. Free

The Mineral Point Archives is a resource for local history, including maps, photos, newspaper articles, letters, architecture, mining, genealogy records, land records, early Wisconsin legislation, railroad history and Cornish research, and an obituary and marriage database from our local newspapers from 1847 to the present. 

10:00 am-4:00 pm - Mineral Point Railroad Museum. 11 Commerce Street. $

Built by Cornish stonemasons John Toay and Phillip Allen Sr. in 1856, The Mineral Point Railroad Depot is one of the few remaining pre-Civil War depots in the United States. Through story-driven exhibits, the Museum honors the depot’s rich railroad heritage.

10:00 am-5:00 pm - Pottery Demonstration. The Mulberry Pottery. 14 Jail Alley. Free

Studio potter Frank Polizzi will demonstrate the creation of ceramics on the potter's wheel, using a porcelain clay that has been mined in the St. Stephen and St. Austell areas of Cornwall since 1746.

12:00 pm-4:00 pm - Orchard Lawn Tours. 234 Madison Street. $

In 1868, Cornish immigrants Sarah and Joseph Gundry built Orchard Lawn, with an Italianate mansion of locally quarried stone, on 11 hillside acres. The stately house is a remarkable survivor. When the last local Gundry died in 1936, it was rescued from demolition and became home to the MP Historical Society. Tours are given on the hour. The grounds may be enjoyed free of charge at any time.

1:00 pm-4:00 pm - Odd Fellows & Rebekah Museum. 10 Front Street. Free

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) first organized a lodge in Mineral Point in 1835. As the fraternal order increased in size to over 250 members by 1838, a two story frame lodge hall was built which was the first IOOF hall west of the Allegheny Mountains. The building exists today in its original form as the Odd Fellows/Rebekah Museum and contains a number of historical items relating to Odd Fellowship including a full size 1800's Odd Fellow lodge room on the second floor.

1:00 pm-4:00 pm - Pop-Up Museum. Masonic Temple, 304 High St. Free

Ron Dunbar’s collection of local postcards and other paper artifacts. Carolyn Meuer’s study of the Cornish Ferrell family and their many influences on the region. Plus more!

6:00 pm-10:00 pm - Pub Night. Pendarvis Historic Site, Education Center. Spruce St. $

Kick-off Cornish Festival Weekend with us at Pub Night! Enjoy a drink with live music by "The Tooles". Dinner is available for purchase. Head into our cozy Cornish pub to learn pub games by the roaring fire. Available drinks include beer, cider, and root beer.

Saturday, September 27, 2025

7:30 am-10:00 am - Pancake Breakfast. Odd Fellows Hall, 10 Front Street. $.

Start off Saturday with a hearty pancake breakfast at the historic Odd Fellows Hall. Enjoy a great meal and support the students earning funds for their trip to Cornwall!

8:30 am-11:00 am - Farmers’ Market. Water Tower Park, Dodge Street. $

The Farmer’s Market features locally grown produce, naturally raised meat, eggs, jams, syrups, honey, flowers, plants, baked goods, artwork, and more! The Farmer’s Market is a great way to support local agricultural producers.

9:30 am-4:00 pm - Pop-Up Museum. Masonic Temple, 304 High St. Free

Ron Dunbar’s collection of local postcards and other paper artifacts. Carolyn Meuer’s study of the Cornish Ferrell family and their many influences on the region. Plus more!

10:00 am-11:00 am - Masonic Temple, 304 High St. Free
10:00 am-4:00 pm - Pendarvis Historic Site Tours. Corner of Shake Rag and Spruce Streets. $

In the 1830s and 1840s, settlers from the United States and Europe began to flow into the Wisconsin Territory. They were lured by the prospect of plentiful lead to be had in shallow diggings. As the easy lead became scarce, and greater technical knowledge was needed to work the earth for its deeper lead and zinc deposits, immigrants from Cornwall, England filled the need. These miners and their families made a lasting imprint. At Pendarvis, you can see their stone cottages and come to understand how their legacy was preserved in the twentieth century.

10:00 am-4:00 pm - Mineral Point Library Archives. Library, 137 High Street. Free

The Mineral Point Archives is a resource for local history, including maps, photos, newspaper articles, letters, architecture, mining, genealogy records, land records, early Wisconsin legislation, railroad history and Cornish research, and an obituary and marriage database from our local newspapers from 1847 to the present. 

10:00 am-4:00 pm - Mineral Point Railroad Museum. 11 Commerce Street. $

Built by Cornish stonemasons John Toay and Phillip Allen Sr. in 1856, The Mineral Point Railroad Depot is one of the few remaining pre-Civil War depots in the United States. Through story-driven exhibits, the Museum honors the depot’s rich railroad heritage.

10:00 am-4:00 pm -
10:00 am-5:00 pm - Pottery Demonstration. The Mulberry Pottery. 14 Jail Alley. Free

Studio potter Frank Polizzi will demonstrate the creation of ceramics on the potter's wheel, using a porcelain clay that has been mined in the St. Stephen and St. Austell areas of Cornwall since 1746.

10:30 am-12:00 pm - Historic City Bus Tour. Board bus at Masonic Temple, 304 High St. $

Enjoy an informative tour of the historic homes and business places of “The Most Cornish City in the U.S.” The tour lasts about 1 ½ hours and offers a rich sampling of the city’s history

11:00 am-12:00 pm -
11:00 am-2:00 pm - Library Park. 137 High Street. $
11:00 am-2:00 pm - Live Music. Library Park. 137 High Street. Free.

Co-sponsored by the Mineral Point Public Library and the Southwest Wisconsin Cornish Society.

12:00 pm-4:00 pm - Orchard Lawn Tours. 234 Madison Street. $

In 1868, Cornish immigrants Sarah and Joseph Gundry built Orchard Lawn, with an Italianate mansion of locally quarried stone, on 11 hillside acres. The stately house is a remarkable survivor. When the last local Gundry died in 1936, it was rescued from demolition and became home to the MP Historical Society. Tours are given on the hour. The grounds may be enjoyed free of charge at any time.

12:30 pm-2:00 pm - Historic City Bus Tour. Board bus at Masonic Temple, 304 High St. $

Enjoy an informative tour of the historic homes and business places of “The Most Cornish City in the U.S.” The tour lasts about 1 ½ hours and offers a rich sampling of the city’s history.

1:00 pm-4:00 pm - Odd Fellows & Rebekah Museum. 10 Front Street. Free

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) first organized a lodge in Mineral Point in 1835. As the fraternal order increased in size to over 250 members by 1838, a two story frame lodge hall was built which was the first IOOF hall west of the Allegheny Mountains. The building exists today in its original form as the Odd Fellows/Rebekah Museum and contains a number of historical items relating to Odd Fellowship including a full size 1800's Odd Fellow lodge room on the second floor.

1:00 pm-2:00 pm - Speaker TBD. Masonic Temple, 304 High St. Free

 

2:00 pm-3:00 pm - Scone Demonstration. The Book Kitchen, 151 High Street. $

Demonstration of scone-making using a recipe from one of Mineral Point’s Cornish Bards, Catherine Whitford. Republic of Letters will also sell various Cornish and UK cookbooks. Visit The Book Kitchen’s website to purchase tickets at www.thebookkitchenmp.com

2:00 pm-4:00 pm - Afternoon Tea. Trinity Episcopal Church, 403 High St. Donation

The members of Trinity Episcopal Church will be your hosts for an elegant and delicious fundraising tea in honor of Trinity’s own fondly remembered Cornish Bard, Catherine Whitford. Serving a selection of fragrant teas, assorted treats and scones, fine finger sandwiches, and Cornish Tea Biscuits.

4:00 pm-8:00 pm - Pasty Supper. Walker House, 1 Water St. $

In the dining room of the historic 1836 Walker House, enjoy an authentic Cornish meal: Salad, Beef Pasty, Pasty Sauce, Saffron Bun, Figgyhobbin, Wollersheim Red/White Wine or New Glarus Spotted Cow beer, or Soda/Coffee/Tea. Pizza for kids

7:00 pm-10:30 pm - Bard of Cornwall, "Story Singer", Richard Trethewey and his Band. Opera House, 139 High St. $

More Details To Come!

Sunday, September 28, 2025

10:00 am-4:00 pm - Pendarvis Historic Site Tours. Corner of Shake Rag and Spruce Streets. $

In the 1830s and 1840s, settlers from the United States and Europe began to flow into the Wisconsin Territory. They were lured by the prospect of plentiful lead to be had in shallow diggings. As the easy lead became scarce, and greater technical knowledge was needed to work the earth for its deeper lead and zinc deposits, immigrants from Cornwall, England filled the need. These miners and their families made a lasting imprint. At Pendarvis, you can see their stone cottages and come to understand how their legacy was preserved in the twentieth century.

10:00 am-5:00 pm - Pottery Demonstration. The Mulberry Pottery. 14 Jail Alley. Free

Studio potter Frank Polizzi will demonstrate the creation of ceramics on the potter's wheel, using a porcelain clay that has been mined in the St. Stephen and St. Austell areas of Cornwall since 1746.

12:00 pm-4:00 pm - Orchard Lawn Tours. 234 Madison Street. $

In 1868, Cornish immigrants Sarah and Joseph Gundry built Orchard Lawn, with an Italianate mansion of locally quarried stone, on 11 hillside acres. The stately house is a remarkable survivor. When the last local Gundry died in 1936, it was rescued from demolition and became home to the MP Historical Society. Tours are given on the hour. The grounds may be enjoyed free of charge at any time.

12:00 pm-4:00 pm - Mineral Point Railroad Museum. 11 Commerce Street. $

Built by Cornish stonemasons John Toay and Phillip Allen Sr. in 1856, The Mineral Point Railroad Depot is one of the few remaining pre-Civil War depots in the United States. Through story-driven exhibits, the Museum honors the depot’s rich railroad heritage.

1:00 pm-4:00 pm - Odd Fellows & Rebekah Museum. 10 Front Street. Free

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) first organized a lodge in Mineral Point in 1835. As the fraternal order increased in size to over 250 members by 1838, a two story frame lodge hall was built which was the first IOOF hall west of the Allegheny Mountains. The building exists today in its original form as the Odd Fellows/Rebekah Museum and contains a number of historical items relating to Odd Fellowship including a full size 1800's Odd Fellow lodge room on the second floor.

2:30 pm-3:30 pm - Gymanfa Ganu (Welsh Hymn Sing) Trinity Episcopal Church, 403 High Street. Donation.

Join in (or just listen to) the glorious sound of song and organ at Trinity Episcopal Church. Special appearance by southwest Wisconsin’s own Chough Singers. Event led by the Welsh Gymanfa Ganu association of Wisconsin

3:30 pm-4:30 pm - Afternoon Tea. Trinity Episcopal Church, 403 High Street. Donation.

The members of Trinity Episcopal Church will be your hosts for an elegant and delicious fundraising tea in honor of Trinity’s own fondly remembered Cornish Bard, Catherine Whitford. Serving a selection of fragrant teas, assorted treats and scones, fine finger sandwiches, and Cornish Tea Biscuits.

 
Kernow bys vykken!

(Cornwall forever!)

 


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