Wisconsin Historical Society breaks ground on edge of Capitol Square

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A new state historical museum is underway on the edge of Capitol Square in Madison.

Madison-based Findorff on April 23 broke ground on a $160.5 million, 100,000-square-foot museum for the Wisconsin Historical Society. The project will double the museum’s footprint at the intersection of State Street and North Carroll Street.

The society demolished its existing building across from the Wisconsin State Capitol and bought 20-22 North Carroll Street at a discount below the market rate. The project had been in planning for two decades and officials expect the museum to finally open in 2027.

Construction kicked off with a ceremonial ground blessing by the Little Priest Singers, a Ho-Chunk Nation drum group.

“This is a historic day for Wisconsin,” said Christian Øverland, the Ruth and Hartley Barker director and CEO of the Wisconsin Historical Society, in a statement. “With two decades of support from the State Legislature, the generosity of private donors and the dedication of countless project champions, we are building more than just a museum – we are creating a place where all Wisconsinites can see themselves in history, and where connections between the past, present and future will enrich the lives of each guest who walks through our new front door,” he added.

The design team includes Continuum Architects, SmithGroup and Ralph Appelbaum Associates, museum officials said. The latter is recognized for building cultural attractions across the world, including the United States Holocaust Museum and London’s Imperial War Museum, and will design the exhibits, officials added.

The new Wisconsin History Center is expected to attract more than 200,000 guests and 60,000 school students each year, officials said.

There will be three core galleries that share regional stories in American history, officials said. Additional spaces include a rotating community gallery, a large changing gallery that can host traveling exhibits, communal spaces for public programming, a café, retail storefront, sensory room and a classroom, lunchroom and multipurpose room for students and community groups, officials said. There will be a fifth-floor event space and adjoining rooftop terrace for public and private events, officials added.

The project is funded with $112.3 million in state funds and $48.2 million in private donations. The private campaign goal is $55.6 million to support transition, opening and operating expenses.

As of publication, officials said they secured $54.1 million in private funds. The largest donation was $27.2 million from Jerry Frautschi and Pleasant Rowland, the inventor of the American Girl doll.

“The Wisconsin History Center is a testament to the generosity and passion of so many individuals and organizations that believe in the power of history to inspire and unite us,” said Julie Lussier, executive director of the Wisconsin Historical Foundation, in a statement. “We are honored to stand here today on the precipice of this shared vision coming to life and we are humbled by the unwavering dedication of the many people who have made today possible,” she added.

In 2021, the historical society planned to open a space at an office building called GEF 1 after redevelopment at East Washington Avenue and South Webster Street. They went back to the drawing board and ultimately chose Capitol Square after Legislative Republicans rescinded money for the plan from the state budget.

Present at the groundbreaking were Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, State Sen. Kelda Roys and Senate President Mary Felzkowski. Vos and Felzkowski are both Republicans; Roys is a Democrat. Museum officials said launching the project was a bipartisan effort.

“This is an exciting moment as we launch construction on a world-class museum that will energize Wisconsin tourism, deliver economic benefits to the state and serve as a point of pride for residents across all 72 counties,” said Vos.