MADISON, Wis. — Big changes are coming to the Wisconsin Historical Museum in Madison.
The building that the Historical Museum currently resides in will undergo construction starting in 2024. It is expected to be finished in 2026.
“What we are going to be doing is closing down the museum as we build a new history center in this location,” said Mike Hollander, deputy director of the Wisconsin Historical Museum.
When completed, the new history center will be located at the site of the current Wisconsin Historical Museum as well as two adjacent properties on Madison’s Capitol square.
“So we are more than doubling the exhibition space that we have and on top of that, we are going to be adding more spaces for programing and spaces dedicated to school groups,” said Hollander.
In preparation for the construction, Wisconsin Historical Society staff are planning to move artifacts into safe storage at the State Archive Preservation Facility.
Museum exhibitions will be disabled in phases. The third and fourth floors closed on Sept. 12 and the second floor will close on Nov. 27.
The last day the public will be able to enjoy the museum’s second floor exhibitions will be on Sunday. Hollander said that is a great day for the public to visit.
“So we are having some special things going on here. Anyone who makes a purchase of $50 or more will get their choice of a museum sculpt or the badger plush,” said Hollander.
On Museum Store Sunday, visitors can take part in a final tour of “The People of the Woodlands” exhibit.
Susan Apps-Bodilly, author of “Seeds in Soil,” will also hold a book talk and crafting activity from 11 a.m. to noon.
Plans are in motion to hold programs and special exhibitions that will operate out of the Capitol during the over two-year transition period.
School tours at the current museum location are expected to last into December and the retail store will remain open through 2023.