$160.5 million Wisconsin History Center slated to open in Madison in late 2027
MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Historical Foundation, the fundraising arm of the Wisconsin Historical Society, has announced that the $66.5 million campaign for a new Wisconsin History Center is now complete following a $12 million gift from philanthropist W. Jerome Frautschi. Frautschi’s third major contribution to the project brings his total campaign support to $37.1 million. The announcement was made Thursday evening at the Wisconsin History Gala in Milwaukee, which was hosted by Wisconsin-born award-winning actors Jane Kaczmarek and Tony Shalhoub, and attended by project supporters, history advocates, community leaders and campaign co-chairs Govs. Jim Doyle and Tommy Thompson.
The completion of the fundraising campaign comes on the heels of the April 2025 groundbreaking for the new five story, 100,000-square-foot history center, and positions Wisconsin to become home to one of the nation’s premiere historical destinations. The center will house three permanent galleries, a rotating community gallery sharing local history from across the state, and a changing temporary gallery large enough to bring in the nation’s most sought-after traveling exhibits. The history center will offer robust public programming throughout communal spaces, while sharing the Society’s resources across the state through advanced technology. The center is expected to attract more than 200,000 visitors annually, generating significant cultural and economic impact for the region.
“This project represents everything I believe in—the power of history, civic engagement, arts and culture to transform communities, inspire young minds and bring people together across all backgrounds,” said Frautschi. “I’ve watched the vision for a new Wisconsin History Center grow from concept to reality over the past decade and am honored to help ensure that future generations will have access to world-class cultural experiences right here in Wisconsin.”
The multi-year fundraising campaign has garnered support from more than 500 individual donors, businesses and foundations.
“I am filled with great pride and humility as we celebrate the successful completion of the Campaign for a New Wisconsin History Center,” said Wisconsin Historical Foundation Executive Director Julie Lussier. “Mr. Frautschi ignited fundraising with his generosity and his support kept the flame going at key points in the campaign. His transformative leadership, alongside hundreds of donations from supporters across the state, sets the stage for a history destination that will serve and inspire every student, family and visitor that will walk through its doors and discover the remarkable story of our state.”
The Wisconsin History Center project is also backed by $112.3 million in state funds to support design and construction.
“This project is a shining example of a public-private partnership, a true collaboration where each side lifted the other,” said Christian Overland, Ruth and Hartley Barker Director & CEO of the Wisconsin Historical Society. “The incredible investment from the State of Wisconsin paired with the generosity of private donors like Mr. Frautschi and so many others, have given us the flexibility to dream big, innovate and create something truly transformative for the people of Wisconsin and beyond.”
The Wisconsin Historical Society is collaborating with an industry-leading architectural and exhibition design team, including Continuum Architects, SmithGroup and Ralph Appelbaum Associates.
While the Wisconsin History Center is being built, a temporary History Maker Space, located on the main level of the US Bank Plaza on Capitol Square, houses an interactive education space for school groups along with pop-up exhibits, special events, history center sneak peeks and a refreshed retail shop. The Wisconsin History Makers Tour is also traveling the state in the lead-up to the opening of the new Wisconsin History Center. The tour brings history directly to communities across the state through pop-up exhibits, artifact displays, author talks, special events and more.
For more information on the new history center project, visit wisconsinhistory.org/historycenter.
About Wisconsin Historical Society
The Wisconsin Historical Society, founded in 1846, ranks as one of the largest, most active and most diversified state historical societies in the nation. As both a state agency and a private membership organization, its mission is to help people connect to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing stories. The Wisconsin Historical Society serves millions of people every year through a wide range of sites, programs and services. The Wisconsin Historical Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, receives grants and private contributions benefitting the Wisconsin Historical Society and administers the membership program. For more information, visit www.wisconsinhistory.org.
