History Happens Here
Wisconsin’s New History Center
The Wisconsin Historical Society is bringing a new, 21st-century history center and cultural attraction to the people of Wisconsin and beyond.
Designed to be a welcoming beacon of inspiration and exploration, the new center set on Wisconsin’s Capitol Square in Madison will reflect a modern approach to sharing history and connecting communities.
Project Overview
Behind
the Design
Project
Timeline
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NEW
Road America
America’s National Park of Speed
Get ready to rev up history! The new Wisconsin History Center’s inaugural specialty exhibition will guide thousands of visitors through the lives of visionaries, innovators, racers and fans who built one of the world’s premier
road courses.
Recent News
Society Breaks Ground on the New Wisconsin History Center
The Society celebrated the groundbreaking of the new Wisconsin History Center…
Historical Society Preps Construction Site
We’ve begun preparing the construction site on the Wisconsin State Capitol building square for the Wisconsin History Center…
State Authorization to Construct History Center
The Wisconsin History Center project reached another significant milestone today when the State Building Commission…
Now open
Wisconsin History Center field trip wait list!
Reserve your spot on the wait list to book a field trip experience in the new Wisconsin History Center. Field trips will begin in spring 2028. We can’t wait to welcome you!
Progress From the Site
View live updates from the construction site!
Iconic Location
The new history center will be located on Wisconsin’s Capitol Square in Madison, contributing to a thriving cultural district and offering a convenient location for school groups visiting from around the state.
Visit Us Now!
History Maker Space
Hosting pop-up exhibits, author talks, public programs, a new retail shop and history center sneak peeks during the construction of the new building
History Makers Tour
Bringing history directly to local communities in every region of the state through pop-up exhibits, artifact displays, public programs, art installations, and more!
Get Updates About the Project!
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We were honored to be part of Marathon County Celebrates America’s 250th!
A special thank you to our board member, Keene Winters, for offering remarks during the program.
We’re gratMarathon County Historical SocietyicWausau East Hmong Dance Clubg Dance Club, and all of the volunteers, partners, and community members who made this such a memorable day. Thank you for partnering with us on the Wisconsin History Mak#wihistorymakersistoryMakers ... See MoreSee Less
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We'd love for you to send in your bar tokens for the new Wisconsin History Cen#wihistorycenterenterHave you heard? We are working to source tavern tokens from every county in Wisconsin, all 72 of them, as part of a future exhibition display that explores the state’s famed tavern culture. We are off to a great start but still need more!
Want to make sure your hometown bar or tavern is represented? Send us their tavern token or drink chip and help put your favorite watering hole on the map at the future Wisconsin History Center.
📬 Send your tokens by August 31 to:
Wisconsin Historical Society
Tavern Token Project
816 State Street
Madison, WI 53706
Please note: Tavern tokens submitted to this crowdsourcing effort will become property of the Wisconsin Historical Society. Depending upon the final number of submissions we receive, we may not be able to include all tokens in the exhibition display.
Want to get this opportunity in front of your favorite establishments? Tag and mention them in the comments!
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Want to help your favorite Wisconsin tavern make history? 🍻
The future Wisconsin History Center wouldn’t be complete without a tribute to Wisconsin’s famed tavern culture and the local establishments that have served as vibrant community hubs across the state for generations.
But we need your help to ensure every corner of Wisconsin is represented in the exhibition display. Between now and August 31, 2026, we are crowdsourcing tavern tokens from local watering holes across the state. These storied tokens date back to 17th century in Britain where small wooden discs, often called tokens or chips, could be exchanged for beverages at pubs. The tradition traveled over to Colonial America and persists to this day in local bars and taverns across Wisconsin.
📬 Send us a token from YOUR favorite local spot by August Wisconsin Historical Societyical Society
Tavern Token Project
816 State Street
Madison, WI 53706
Please note: Tavern tokens submitted to this crowdsourcing effort will become property of the Wisconsin Historical Society. Depending upon the final number of submissions we receive, we may not be able to include all tokens in the exhibition display.
Help us share the story of Wisconsin's historic tavern culture, one t#wihistorycenter
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