Wisconsin Historical Museum

Hours

Wisconsin Historical Museum General Admission Opens on June 3rd | Thu – Sat

Admission

Admission is free,
but donations are welcomed!

Directions

Click here for directions. We hope to see you soon at the Museum!

Explore History in a New Way

This season, we are excited to welcome visitors to the Wisconsin Historical Museum for general admission and special experiences. See below for more information on how you can explore history in a new way.

The Wisconsin Historical Museum General Admission Opens on June 1

Tickets for Special Experiences Coming Soon

Museum Events

The Wisconsin Historical Society is committed to prioritizing the health and safety of our guests, members, and staff. Read the information below to learn about our 2021 health and safety protocols.

A view of the Wisconsin HIstorical Museum from State Street, with the Wisconsin State Capitol in the background.

Explore the Wisconsin Historical Museum

The Wisconsin Historical Museum shares the stories behind Wisconsin’s heritage through exhibits featuring Native Nations and Tribes, the immigrant experience, frontier life, agriculture, industry, politics, and much, much more.

Featuring both permanent and special temporary exhibits, showcasing many fascinating historical items, and having a wonderful selection of gifts for sale, the Wisconsin Historical Museum is a wonderful place to explore on the Madison Capitol Square!

Explore

Wisconsin Historical Museum Events

Illustrated or Print of the Madison Capitol Square

Special Experiences

Explore special experiences like the “A Walk on Madison’s Weird Side” or the “Hidden History of the Capitol Square” walking tours offered at the Wisconsin Historical Museum this year!

Explore Experiences

Virtual Summer Camps

Explore the virtual summer camps provided by the Wisconsin Historical Museum this year! These live interactive programs will use students’ critical thinking skills to solve mysteries related to Wisconsin history. Advance registration is required.

Explore Virtual Summer Camps

For Your Health & Safety

reserve a spot. Tickets.

Advance registration is required for some events

Face Masks required. Mask.

Face masks are required & available onsite as needed

We're cleaning. Cleaning spray.

Daily cleaning & sanitizing enhanced at all facilities

Maintain Social Distance. Two people 6 ft apart.

Social distancing guidelines will be enforced

Air Quality Analysis

According to an air quality analysis conducted in August, 2020, the Museum HVAC system constantly brings in a minimum of 10% outside air in to the Museum to ensure a consistent supply of fresh air.
The Museum has used the air quality analysis to set capacity limits throughout the building.
Museum staff will monitor how many guests are in the Museum at any given point. To ensure the safety of each guest, Museum staff may ask guests to wait in a queue line before entering.

2021 Site Protocols

Museum will open at 25 percent capacity
To protect your safety and ours, face masks are required inside and outside for all guests and staff at our historic sites and museums.
Social distancing guidelines will be enforced at all historic sites and museums.
All events and programs will have a limited capacity to ensure social distancing guidelines are properly followed, keeping the safety of employees and guests as the top priority.
Disposable masks will be available onsite.
All facilities will adhere to significantly increased daily cleaning and sanitation requirements and there will be cleaning stations in each building.
Each location will follow strict guest engagement protocols, including parking, food preparation, and the use of shared facilities such as a public restroom.
Staff and guests, per CDC guidance, are asked to stay home if they have tested positive for COVID-19, are waiting for COVID-19 test results, have COVID-19 symptoms, or if they have had close contact with a person who has tested positive for or who has symptoms of COVID-19.

Explore Other 2021 Experiences
Black Point Estate & Gardens, Circus World, Old World Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Historical Museum are open for general admission and special experiences. First Capitol, H.H. Bennett Studio & Museum, Madeline Island Museum, Pendarvis, Reed School, Stonefield, Villa Louis, and Wade House Historic Site remain closed for public programming for the 2021 season.

A circus cart on a lawn, bright red, yellow, and orange colors. — Circus World

A group of people bail hay out of an old fashioned cart — Old World Wisconsin

Black Point Estate, a view of the tower and the rest of the building, the clouds are beautiful and really frame the building. — Black Point Estate & Gardens

The Time has Come for a New Museum

The next chapter of our state’s history is being written, and the Wisconsin Historical Society has a rare opportunity to deliver an unforgettable, modern history museum to celebrate and honor Wisconsin.

Learn More