Hours
For Headquarters, Library, Archives and Program Offices
The Wisconsin Historical Society's headquarters building (map) is located on Library Mall of the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. We are free and open to the public.
Wisconsin Historical Society
816 State Street
Madison, WI 53706
Phone: 608-264-6535
Email: asklibrary@wisconsinhistory.org
Website: www.wisconsinhistory.org
Library Hours
Librarians and archivists are available to help you explore our collections documenting the history of North America. Our hours are subject to change based on the University of Wisconsin-Madison academic calendar. See the scheduled closures section below.
Friday and Saturday, 8 am - 5 pm
Access to the Microforms Room and book stacks ends 30 minutes before closing time.
Archives Hours
Hours subject to change based on the University of Wisconsin-Madison academic calendar.
See the scheduled closures section below.
Mon - Fri, 8 am-5 pm
Sat, 9 am-4 pm
Sunday and Major Holidays - Closed
Retrieval Hours for Archives Collections
Hours subject to change based on the University of Wisconsin-Madison academic calendar.
See the scheduled closures section below.
Mon - Fri, 9 am-12:00 pm, and 1 pm-4 pm
Sat, 9 am-4 pm(Note: Limited paging during the lunch hour.)
Sunday and Major Holidays - Closed
Scheduled Closures
In response to limiting the spread of COVID-19 and for the safety of our staff and guests, the Wisconsin Historical Society Library and Archives is currently open but will have limited hours through April 11, 2020 at least. We do encourage you to continue to check our website, social media pages and our google business hours for any changes.
Library:
March 16-20, 2020
Monday through Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
CLOSED on Saturday, March 21, 2020
March 23 - April 11, 2020
Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am to 7:00 pm
Friday’s 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
CLOSED ON SATURDAYS
Archives:
March 16- April 11, 2020
Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
CLOSED ON SATURDAYS
The public can still access many of our library and archives resources online through wisconsinhistory.org.
The chart below shows when the Library's hours are shortened, and when the Library and Archives are closed for holidays and other events. This schedule may change without notice. Before traveling to Madison to use our collections, please call 608-264-6534 to confirm operating hours.
| Date | Change to Schedule | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| January 2-17 | 8 am - 5 pm | UW Winter Break |
| January 18-20 | Closed | M.L. King Day |
| March 6 | 8am - 4 pm | Special Event |
| March 16- April 11 | See Section Above | UW Spring Break & Corona |
| May 11 | Summer Hours Begin | |
| May 23-25 | Closed | Memorial Day |
| July 4 | Closed | Independence Day |
| September 1 | Summer Hours End | |
| September 5-7 | Closed | Labor Day |
| November 25 | 8 am - 5 pm | Day Before Thanksgiving |
| Nov 26 | Closed | Thanksgiving |
| Dec 21-23, 28-30 | 8 am - 5 pm | UW Winter Break |
| Dec 24-27 | Closed | Christmas |
| Dec 31, 2020 - Jan 3, 2021 | Closed | New Year |
Have Questions?
Contact our Library and Archives staff at 608-264-6535 or by email below: