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Visit Attractions & Historic Sites

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Engaging exhibits, sites steeped in history, enriching tours and more—attractions, historic sites, and museums across the state help us bring the objects, stories and places that shape Wisconsin to you. Plan the perfect visit just for you, your family & friends, class or coworkers!

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Historic Holiday Magic Awaits

WisHistory winters are full of heartwarming holiday magic. Give the gift of memories and find your new favorite tradition this holiday season.

Explore Holidays with WisHistory
A man dressed as Santa kneels and hands a young boy a small wooden figurine
blue map of Wisconsin historic sites and museums on a dark blue background with numbered pins where each historic site is located

Old World Wisconsin

Set against the backdrop of the Kettle Moraine State Forest and 600 acres of picturesque woodlands, prairie, and wetlands, Old World Wisconsin is a one-of-a kind-place where the modern world fades away to reveal over a century of history. The site includes 60 authentically restored historic homes, farms, stores, and workshops. Along your journey from the 1840s to the 1910s, costumed ambassadors will invite you to get hands on with history. You’ll meet furry friends on the farms, enjoy an old-fashioned soda water in the general store, see sparks fly in the blacksmith shop, see how beer is made, and so much more!

262-594-6301

W372 S9727 WI-67
Eagle, WI 53119


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Circus World

An incredible 64 acres showcasing the incredible history of the American Circus is yours to explore. From the world’s largest collection of restored historic circus wagons to seven National Historic Landmark structures that more than a century ago were the wintertime home to the Ringling Bros. Circus and are now filled with thousands of circus treasures, you’ll delight in this extraordinary, one-of-a-kind wonder. 

608-356-8341

550 Water Street
Baraboo, WI 53913


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Wisconsin 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.


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Wade House

Visiting Wade House historic site takes you on a journey through Wisconsin’s past with tours of the Wade House Stagecoach Inn, stops at the blacksmith shop & sawmill, and the exhibits of the Wesley W. Jung Carriage Museum & Visitor Center. This historic site is named for the inn built by the first European settlers of the town, Sylvanus and Betsey Wade. This stately stagecoach inn offers a fascinating glimpse into the long-ago era of horse-drawn travel, but it’s far from the only reason to hop in the car and venture to this historic site in the scenic northern Kettle Moraine. The beautifully preserved inn is just one of many interactive attractions exploring pioneer life in the 1800s that you will find on the site’s 280 acres.

920-526-3271

W7965 WI-23
Greenbush, WI 53026


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Black Point Estate & Gardens

Immerse yourself in Chicago beer baron Conrad Seipp’s grand lakeside retreat. A Gilded Age jewel, this opulent mansion and meticulously maintained gardens reveal the lavish lifestyle led by the late 19th century Victorian landed elite.

262-248-1888

812 Wrigley Drive
Lake Geneva, WI 53147


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First Capitol

Near the picturesque hamlet of Belmont is First Capitol, the place where the first territorial legislature established Wisconsin’s government. Visit the site where these lawmakers built the framework that would evolve into the state of Wisconsin.

608-987-2122

18904 County Highway G
Belmont, WI 53510


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H.H. Bennett Studio

The H.H. Bennett Studio & Museum explores Wisconsin Dells history through the man who helped transform it into a national tourist attraction. Visit the museum and take a tour that includes landscape photography, 1800s film equipment, and hands-on activities for guests of all ages.

608-253-3523

215 Broadway
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965


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History Maker Space

Learn, grow, and deepen your bond with history at this active, community-focused spaced that hosts exhibitions, events, and programs. 

1 S Pinckney St 
Madison, WI 53703 


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Madeline Island Museum

Madeline Island Museum seeks to capture the rich, deep portrait of life on the Apostle Islands— from the Ojibwe and other tribes who called Madeline Island home hundreds of years before European contact, to its status as a hub for trading, commercial fishing, and travel.

715-747-2415

226 Colonel Woods Ave
La Pointe, WI 54850


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Pendarvis

Tucked in a scenic valley at the heart of historic Mineral Point, Pendarvis serves as a collection of 1800s limestone and log buildings that tell the incredible story of the very first Wisconsin “badgers.”

608-987-2122

114 Shake Rag Street
Mineral Point, WI 53565


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Reed School

Built in 1915, this historic Wisconsin one-room schoolhouse stands as living testament to how young learners acquired new skills without basic technologies or amenities. Explore the past of education through recordings, news volumes, and artifacts from the free school movement.

608-253-3523

4326 US-10
Neillsville, WI 54456


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Stonefield

Early agrarian life in Wisconsin starts at Stonefield. Once the agricultural estate of Nelson Dewey, the first Wisconsin governor, this historic site teems with cropland, shops, and factories knit together by grassy roads and centuries of farming culture.

608-725-5210

12195 County Hwy VV
Cassville, WI 53806


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Villa Louis

When you walk through the wood-grained double doors of the Villa Louis residence, you step into the fascinating life of one of Wisconsin’s most historic families—the Dousmans. This beautiful Italianate-style mansion tells their story—and many others—in striking detail.

608-326-2721

521 Villa Louis Road
Prairie du Chien, WI 53821


Plan Your Visit
Rendering of the exterior of the new History Center in Madison Wisconsin.
Grand Opening in 2028

Wisconsin History Center

A landmark cultural destination designed to share the rich, vast, and varied stories of the people who have shaped the state. Featuring world-class exhibits, community gathering spaces, immersive moments, and interactive experiences, this landmark venue will showcase Wisconsin's impact on America and inspire exploration across all 72 counties.

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featured event
A Wade House Christmas

A Wade House Christmas

Wade House ● Greenbush, WI

📅Sat, Dec 12, 2026 | 9:30 AM–4 PM ➡️ Experience the charm of a 19th-century horse-powered holiday at Wade House.

Event Details
Food & Beverage Events
Harvest Beer Dinner

Harvest Beer Dinner

Old World Wisconsin ● Eagle, WI

📅Sat, Nov 14, 2026 | 5 PM–8 PM ➡️ Raise a glass to harvest season with delicious drinks and a four-course meal in our historic Clausing Barn.

Event Details
Special Events
Hiking at Old World Wisconsin

Hiking at Old World Wisconsin

Old World Wisconsin ● Eagle, WI

📅Wed, Nov 18, 2026 | 9 AM–3 PM ➡️ Come explore the beautiful Kettle Moraine at Old World during fall and winter.

Event Details
Special Events
Island Holiday Boutique

Island Holiday Boutique

Madeline Island Museum ● La Pointe, WI

📅Sat, Nov 28, 2026 | 10 AM–4 PM ➡️ Pick Up Island Jewelry, Decor and More at this Pop-Up Holiday Boutique.

Event Details
Food & Beverage Events
Breakfast with Santa

Breakfast with Santa

Old World Wisconsin ● Eagle, WI

📅Sat, Dec 5, 2026 | 9 AM–11 AM ➡️ Enjoy a cheery breakfast with St. Nick at Old World Wisconsin. Includes admission to Home for the Holidays.

Event Details
Special Events
Home for the Holidays

Home for the Holidays

Old World Wisconsin ● Eagle, WI

📅Sat, Dec 5, 2026 | 10 AM–3 PM ➡️ Experience the magic of a Victorian holiday season, where cozy shops, homes and cabins offer a beautiful backdrop for wonderful wintry celebrations. Sponsored by Old World Foundation.

Event Details
Author Appearance
An Old Farm Country Christmas Book Talk

An Old Farm Country Christmas Book Talk

Wade House ● Greenbush, WI

📅Sat, Dec 5, 2026 | 1 PM–3:30 PM ➡️ Rekindle memories of Wisconsin Christmases past during a heartwarming book talk with Susan Apps-Bodilly.

Event Details
Special Events
Make It Merry: A Family & Friends Crafting Event

Make It Merry: A Family & Friends Crafting Event

History Maker Space ● Madison, WI

📅Sat, Dec 5, 2026 | 1 PM–4 PM ➡️ Up for a little crafting? Make your very own mini tinsel tree and a colorful array of vintage-inspired paper decorations in preparation for a beautiful, blustery winter season!

Event Details
Screening
Exclusive Screening of PBS Wisconsin’s Jerry Apps: Home for the Holidays

Exclusive Screening of PBS Wisconsin’s Jerry Apps: Home for the Holidays

Wade House ● Greenbush, WI

📅Sat, Dec 5, 2026 | 4:30 PM–6 PM ➡️ Experience the nostalgic world of Midwest Christmases past brought to life in rich, warm detail by beloved author and rural historian Jerry Apps.

Event Details
Special Events
Coffee and Carriages

Coffee and Carriages

Wade House ● Greenbush, WI

📅Sat, Jan 9, 2027 | 10:30 AM–11:30 AM ➡️ Sip coffee and learn carriage history during this guided carriage museum tour featuring the words of Wesley W. Jung himself. Includes General Admission.

Event Details
Speaker/Lecture
Wade House Timeless Tales Speaker Series

Wade House Timeless Tales Speaker Series

Wade House ● Greenbush, WI

📅Sat, Jan 9, 2027 | 1 PM–2:30 PM ➡️ Engage with celebrated authors and historians as they bring stories of Wisconsin culture to life at Wade House.

Event Details
Food & Beverage Events
Hearthside Dinners

Hearthside Dinners

Wade House ● Greenbush, WI

📅Sat, Jan 23, 2027 | 11 AM–3 PM ➡️ Enter the historic Wade House kitchen and help cook an authentic 1800s family-style dinner from scratch.

Event Details
Walking Tours
Wade House Hikes

Wade House Hikes

Wade House ● Greenbush, WI

📅Sat, Feb 6, 2027 | 1 PM–2:15 PM ➡️ From beautiful woodland views to wintry treks in snowshoes, take idyllic, educational hikes through the Kettle Moraine all season long.

Event Details
School Programs
Winter Homeschool Days at Wade House

Winter Homeschool Days at Wade House

Wade House ● Greenbush, WI

📅Feb 11, 2027 | multiple times ➡️ Show homeschool learners the wonders of the horse-powered past during a trip to our state-of-the-art carriage museum.

Event Details
Special Events
Over the River and Through the Woods

Over the River and Through the Woods

Wade House ● Greenbush, WI

📅Feb 13, 2027 | multiple times ➡️ Make beloved family memories during a wintry horse-drawn sleigh ride through the fields and woodlands of Wade House.

Event Details
Special Events
Winter Quarters General Admission

Winter Quarters General Admission

Circus World ● Baraboo, WI

📅Fri, Feb 26, 2027 | 11 AM–2 PM ➡️ Explore exciting exhibits and dive deep into the history of the Ringling Bros. Circus this winter!

Event Details
Food & Beverage Events
Baking and Cooking Workshops

Baking and Cooking Workshops

Old World Wisconsin ● Eagle, WI

📅Sat, Mar 6, 2027 | 10 AM–4 PM ➡️ Enter our historic kitchens and make delicious and iconic dishes using recipes and techniques from the 1800s.

Event Details
Workshop
Blacksmithing Workshops

Blacksmithing Workshops

Old World Wisconsin ● Eagle, WI

📅Fri, Mar 19, 2027 | 10 AM–4 PM ➡️ Strike while the iron’s hot! Feel the heat, sweat and fire of an Old World forge as you hone your blacksmithing skills.

Event Details
Food & Beverage Events
Bunny Brunch

Bunny Brunch

Old World Wisconsin ● Eagle, WI

📅Mar 20, 2027 | multiple times ➡️ Celebrate spring with a hoppin’ good morning meal at Old World Wisconsin!

Event Details
Special Events
Tap Into Spring

Tap Into Spring

Old World Wisconsin ● Eagle, WI

📅Sat, Mar 20, 2027 | 10 AM–3 PM ➡️ Tap into the sweet world of maple sugaring at Old World Wisconsin.

Event Details
Walking Tours
Hidden History of the Capitol Square Walking Tour

Hidden History of the Capitol Square Walking Tour

History Maker Space ● Madison, WI

📅Sat, Apr 3, 2027 | 1 PM–2:45 PM ➡️ Explore the iconic Madison landmark as you learn about the area’s earliest inhabitants and walk in the shoes of our capital’s founders.

Event Details
Walking Tours
Madison’s Hidden History: From Myth to Mystery

Madison’s Hidden History: From Myth to Mystery

History Maker Space ● Madison, WI

📅Thu, Apr 8, 2027 | 5 PM–6:45 PM ➡️ From myths and magic to a murder most tragic, tour the path less traveled and uncover unusual secrets from Madison’s mysterious past.

Event Details
Workshop
Fiber Arts Workshops

Fiber Arts Workshops

Old World Wisconsin ● Eagle, WI

📅Sat, Apr 24, 2027 | 10 AM–1 PM ➡️ Learn to spin, dye, quilt, and embroider using 1800s tools, stitches, and techniques.

Event Details
Special Events
Nina Dousman Birthday Celebration

Nina Dousman Birthday Celebration

Villa Louis ● Prairie du Chien, WI

📅Apr 24, 2027 | multiple times ➡️ On her 175th birthday, celebrate one of the Dousmans who helped shape Villa Louis.

Event Details

Summer Camp
Adventures Await!

Calling all explorers, innovators and young historians! Become a 19th-century apprentice, battle monsters, craft tools and souvenirs, discover nature and learn new skills at camp this season.

Madison WI Camps Eagle WI Camps
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INCREDIBLE!! The estate is unbelievably well-preserved, and the site as a whole proves to be a genuinely really amazing experience!! Easy 5 stars

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TJ Borkenhagen
Google Review

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It's the Best Deal in History!

Join the Wisconsin Historical Society at any of our membership levels to support our mission of collecting, preserving and sharing our stories and receive a full year of special benefits.

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Children watch a blacksmith demonstration at Old World Wisconsin.

All Memberships Levels Include

A white couple and a black woman enjoying a tour at Villa Louis

Group Tours

History is better shared. Our historic sites and attractions offer immersive group experiences for all Wisconsinites. Popular dates book fast—reach out now to secure your spot.

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