Wisconsin History Center
Wisconsin History Center A new vision for Wisconsin history.
The Wisconsin Historical Society is among the nation’s oldest, largest and most active state historical societies, with a history dating to 1846, and we steward one of the most significant collections in North America. That legacy is being carried into the future with an unforgettable history center that is worthy of, and will provide unprecedented access to, our state’s world-class historical collections. Anchoring the heart of downtown Madison, where State St. meets the Capitol Square, the Wisconsin History Center is expected to open its doors in early 2028 and welcome up to 300,000 annual visitors.
As a premier center for American history, guests will explore the characteristics that define and distinguish Wisconsin’s history, set in a broader American and global context. This will be a place where everyone will find themselves and a piece of their history in different ways. The center will inspire curiosity through unparalleled access to the state’s collections and resources and will host major traveling blockbuster exhibitions and public events that draw visitors and virtual participants from Wisconsin and beyond. Wisconsin’s new history center will embody the Society’s commitment to inclusion, representation and meaningful engagement.