Wisconsin Historical Museum

The Wisconsin Historical Museum is a museum located on the Capitol Square in Madison, Wisconsin. It is currently open only for retail shopping featuring books, gifts, and other items focusing on Wisconsin and history.

Wisconsin Historical Museum
Location30 N. Carroll Street
Madison, Wisconsin
 United States
TypeHistorical museum
DirectorJennifer Kolb
OwnerWisconsin Historical Society
Websitewww.wisconsinhistory.org

In late 2022, the museum closed down its exhibits in order to prepare for construction of a planned new Wisconsin History Center, to open in 2026.[1][2]

Brief History of the Museum

The museum featured information about the history of Wisconsin and is operated by the Wisconsin Historical Society. In addition to Wisconsin history, it provided information about other American history topics through artifacts, photographs, full-scale dioramas, audio-visual presentations, and interactive multimedia programs. In late 2004, the museum's existence was threatened due to budget cuts,[3] but citing its role in the state's history, Wisconsin governor Jim Doyle restored its funding.[4]

In addition to exhibits about traditional aspect of the state's history, the museum has also offered an exhibition on malted milk, which was first made in Wisconsin,[5] and includes in its permanent collection a Big Boy, the mascot of a hamburger chain,[6] rescued in 1985 when its restaurant closed.[7] The museum also opened in 2012 an exhibit about Butch Vig's (of Madison's Garbage (band)) Smart Studios, a Madison recording facility that closed in 2010.[8] In late 2022, the museum closed down its exhibits in order to prepare for construction of a planned new Wisconsin History Center, to open in 2026.[1][2]

References
  1. https://www.wpr.org/state-capitol-report-new-history-museum-coming-madison
  2. https://www.cbs58.com/news/museum-on-the-move-treasured-state-artifacts-packed-away-in-preparation-of-new-state-historical-museum
  3. Anita Weier (2004-11-10). "Historical Museum's Future in Air". The Capital Times. Archived from the original on 2012-10-21. Retrieved 2008-09-04.
  4. "Wisconsin Historical Museum Spared from Becoming History". NBC 15. 2005-02-07. Retrieved 2008-09-04.
  5. Meg Jones (2004-03-27). "Malt Stop: Madison Museum Exhibit Filled with Malted Milk Memories". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 2008-09-04.
  6. Gayle Worland (2006-01-19). "Retro Relic Finds a Home at the Wisconsin Historical Museum". The Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved 2008-09-04.
  7. "Museum Makes Home for Rescued Big Boy". UPI NewsTrack. 2006-01-20. Retrieved 2008-09-04.
  8. Wisconsin Historical Museum looks at Madison's rock past in Smart Sounds, Alt Music, Mad Scenes

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