Political History Collection
Take A Look Inside
Wisconsin Historical Society has an extensive and robust political history collection. Materials span the political spectrum and document a wide range of movements, campaigns, and political events. From early American political tracts to websites, the collection is open to all learning how politics has shaped the past and present.
Scope of Collection
Broadly speaking, the collection extensively documents:
- US Political and Diplomatic History
- Constitutional History
- Campaigns, Elections, and Political Parties
- Legislation, Government and Public Administration
- Political radicalism, both right- and left-wing
- Immigration, emigration, and colonization
- Tribal relations
- Journalism and Free Press
- Political movements, Advocacy and Issue Organizations
- Demonstrations and Protests
Vel Phillips, wearing a grey outfit is standing at a podium holding up her right hand near Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Bruce Beilfuss standing on the right. In between them is Vel's husband W. Dale Phillips. In the bottom left corner is Wisconsin Governor Lee S. Dreyfus. ID:W014E79
The Society's Archives collection holds countless images related to state and national political events.
Collection Strengths
Some strengths include:
- State and National Political Campaigns
- Territory and Statehood
- Abolition
- Progressivism
- Freedom of Speech
- Suffrage
- Peace Movements
- Organized Labor
- Socialism
- Pro-Life and Pro-Choice Movements
- Anti-Communism
- Protest Movements
- Journalism and News Coverage
Framed assortment of political campaign buttons for Richard Nixon and running mate Spiro Agnew, and Hubert Humphrey and running mate Edmund Muskie. Several of the Humphrey buttons are playing off of his past as a pharmacist. One of the buttons for Nixon reads: "Button Collector for Nixon, Agnew." ID:W0131LO
The Society holds an estimated 6,000 political buttons between the Archives and Object collections.
Types of Materials
The political history collection is housed across the Wisconsin Historical Society Library, Archives, and Object collections. Examples of materials include:
Papers of Wisconsin governors, legislators, members of Congress, activists, political parties, advocacy organizations and more!
Books and monographs cover everything from local towns and county histories, Wisconsin politics and movements, to national political events.
Newspapers and periodicals are excellent resources for political history. Society holdings span the political spectrum. They include historic coverage of elections, events, legislation, politicians, public policy, public opinion and much more! The Society’s newspaper collection is one of the nation’s largest! Titles range from local papers to national and international publications. Many are available on microfilm.
Photos, video, and sound record major events, speeches, debates, campaign appearances, oral histories, legislative hearings, interviews, and much more!
Pamphlets hold short published items such as promotional materials, fliers, newsletters, pamphlets and booklets on a wide variety of political issues.
Ephemera such as political and issue buttons, broadsides, flyers, posters, bumper stickers, and much more!
Historic objects connected to significant political figures, events, demonstrations, and legislation.
Government publications and records contain a lot of information and materials on public policy development, data, and legislation. The Wisconsin Historical Society is a depository for State records.
Web Archives contains archived campaign websites, social media posts by select political offices, and online political newsletters.
Collections Use FAQs
Explore how you can find, access, and use our collection materials.
The Society's library and archives collections can be searched in the University of Wisconsin-Madison Library catalog and some parts of our collections have been digitized and are available online.
The Society's historical object collection cannot be searched online.
Library & Archives
Many books, bound periodicals, microforms and government publications may be checked out for home use with a library card. Rare, fragile, small and heavily used materials (including genealogical resources) do not circulate. A borrowing card is not required if you want to use materials within the Library. Archival materials are available for use in our Archives Reading Room.
For more information about our borrowing policies Library & Archives Services.
Historic Objects
If you are interested in viewing our historical objects please contact us.
Due to significant demands associated with developing the Wisconsin History Center, the Society has reduced capacity to handle loan requests. Therefore, we are not accepting new requests at this time.
For a credit line: Wisconsin Historical Society, Creator, Title, Unique Identifier.
The Unique Identifier can be found at the top or bottom of the webpage for each item. The name of a downloaded file is NOT the unique identifier.
For bibliographic citations please consult the UW-Madison Libraries Citation Research Guide to ensure compliance with appropriate style guidelines.
Personal use (prints, gifts, home and study): Request images for personal use
Commercial use (public display, publishing, media, products, film and more): Request commercial use of our Collection
Materials in our websites and digital collection are provided for research, teaching, and private study. The Wisconsin Historical Society hold rights to some items; others may be governed by additional copyright or donor restrictions.
We encourage users to download low-res images from our website for personal or classroom use, without written permission, within the meaning of the principles of “Fair Use.”
Permission is required for reproduction, publication, or commercial use of any content made available through our websites and digital collection. By using this website, including our digital collections, you agree to the Terms of Use. Users are responsible for determining whether their intended use qualifies as fair use under U.S. copyright law. When relying on fair use, cite the source.
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Library & Archives
Perhaps the best way to begin exploring our collections is by visiting us in person. In our reading rooms, you’ll find free and unparalleled access to our collections, helpful staff and amenities, and perhaps, your very own story.
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Your Story is Wisconsin's Story
History is made every day, everywhere. Since 1846, contributions from people across the state have helped us fulfill our mission to collect, preserve and tell the stories of Wisconsin.
Find Out HowLast Updated: April 15, 2026
