By: Emma Kottke
Founded and declared the capital city of Wisconsin on November 28, 1836, the city of Madison has existed for 75% of the founded United State’s history, standing at 188 years since its founding. The city is rich with history, from architectural styles, to artwork and innovations. However, the city of Madison is known for being quite expensive, especially near the Capitol. Despite this, the city of Madison offers many ways to experience its rich history for free.
Located on the second floor of the Chamberlin hall on University Avenue inside of the University of Wisconsin Madison, the L. R. Ingersoll Physics Museum features a wide array of exhibits meant to demonstrate the properties of physics, alongside a brief history of physical science. Dedicated to Professor Leonard Rose Ingersoll, the museum was one of the first in its country to be solely devoted to physics, and the entirety of the exhibit is designed by campus staff and students, from the displays rotating in and out each year to the design of the space itself, offering an interactive experience for visitors. Entry to the Museum is completely free, with scheduled tours available for guests who call in advance.
Following the trend of campus museums, the Chazen Museum of Art is another on-campus Museum on University Avenue. Home to the second largest collection of art in the entirety of Wisconsin, the Museum is host to a combination of modern art from both student and non-student artists alongside historical art from a variety of time periods, such as Ancient Greece, all the way to modern Africa. Entry to the museum is also free, and the museum is open until evening hours on most days.
Taking a slight detour up to State Street and onto West Mifflin Street lies the Wisconsin Veterans Museum. The museum is dedicated to all veterans who have served in conflicts that shaped the history of Wisconsin, and the museum itself has impressive contents, running from the Civil War up until modern day, with both permanent, temporary, and digital exhibits. The Museum also has an impressive digital archive and database of veteran interviews, collections of people and objects, and war rosters. The Veterans Museum is free to enter, and also offers a variety of tours, including cemetery tours and youth group tours].
Across from the Veterans Museum, is the Wisconsin Historical Museum on North Carroll Street. Recently constructed in 1986, the new building is located on the Capitol Square with an excellent view of the capitol building. The museum also doubles as a Historical Center, as it claims to serve as the “state’s history hub”. The museum features exhibits detailing Wisconsin’s history, from the first settlers all the way up until the 1990’s, featuring exhibits displaying indigenous culture, the first miners, immigration, trade exchange, to the suffrage movement. Entrance to the museum is free but donation is highly encouraged to keep the Historical Center in operation.
Just outside the trip’s final destination are the two statues that sit on the western and eastern sides of the capitol, Forward and the Hans Christain Heg statue. The first statue, Forward, was commissioned during the World’s Columbian Exposition, and created by sculptor Jean Pond Miner Coburn in 1893. However, due to weathering, the original statue is now located inside the Wisconsin Historical Society, and the new statue is a replica commissioned by women’s suffrage organizations, and both statues are representations of women’s suffrage.
On the other side of the Capitol is the Hans Christian Heg Statue, created in 1925 and installed at the capitol in 1926. The statue depicts Heg, an abolitionist, anti-slavery advocate, union soldier, and politician. The statue was toppled in the 2020 protests, alongside the replica of Forward. Despite being decapitated and thrown into a lake, the statue was restored to its original form and is currently on display outside of the capitol.
At the end of this journey lies the Wisconsin State Capitol. The current Capitol is the fourth Wisconsin State Capitol, being constructed after a fire in 1904, with the intent to preserve its original style with influences from the French Beaux-Arts style.
The Capitol is open for visitors every day from 8am-6pm with the exception of weekends closing two hours earlier. The Capitol offers free tours and mostly open access to visitors to appreciate the beautiful art that composes the capitol, whether it be the murals depicted everywhere or the visually pleasing architectural decisions throughout the building.
The Capitol and Capitol Square are also host to many events that occur throughout the year, including the spring Youth in Government Conference, Winterfest, and various markets.
Despite its expenses as a larger city, it’s still possible to enjoy Madison throughout a day or weekend trip without spending much or anything at all. Visiting museums is a good way to add an enriching experience to extend a visit to a rich city that is rare for most, and leave the city with a new perspective on the land.