The museum holds an extensive collection of Medal of Honor citations earned by Wisconsin veterans.
The exhibit space features a full-sized P-51 Mustang aircraft suspended from the ceiling.
It preserves a significant collection of Civil War battle flags carried by Wisconsin infantry regiments.
The museum serves as an official repository for the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs historical records.
Some exhibit galleries utilize recreated environments, such as a trench warfare section, to provide sensory context for military life.
The Wisconsin Veterans Museum focuses on the military history of Wisconsin residents from the Civil War to the present day. The facility is a state-operated institution affiliated with the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs. It occupies a multi-level space on the Capitol Square in downtown Madison. The collection includes over 20,000 artifacts, including personal diaries, letters, uniforms, and heavy military equipment. Permanent exhibits detail the experiences of Wisconsin citizens in major conflicts, including the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Global War on Terror. The museum emphasizes the human element of service through oral history recordings and immersive dioramas. It is currently operating as a state-managed research and educational facility.
Underneath the P-51 Mustang aircraft in the main gallery.
Check the official website for rotating temporary exhibits before your visit.
Utilize the museum's research center if you are looking for specific genealogical or service-record information.
Plan to combine your visit with a walk around the adjacent Capitol Square.
Do not mistake the museum for the separate Wisconsin Historical Society museum, which is located nearby but focuses on broader state history.
Closed on Mondays.
Respectful and quiet demeanor required; no food or beverages permitted in exhibit areas.
