Since opening in 1993 at its Capitol Square location adjacent to the State Historical Museum and the Madison Children’s Museum, the museum, has provided tours and educational activities to hundreds of tour groups of all ages. We continue to encourage educators and students to visit the museum and to use it as an educational resource. We also welcome suggestions.

The museum is open year-round Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. April through September the museum is also open on Sundays from Noon to 4:00 p.m. Admission is free.

The museum offers three tour options:

Guided Tours:
Guided tours are available for groups of 10 or more. A volunteer guide gives a detailed description of the exhibits from the Civil War through the Persian Gulf War. Usually, the highest volume of school groups visit in the spring from March through June. We recommend, if possible, scheduling your group visit during the fall or winter seasons when the museum is less crowded. We feel it may be a more enjoyable experience for your students with less of a crowd.

All groups must call to make a reservation. Please note that guided tours must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance. Please allow at least 45 minutes to an hour for your tour.

Audio-taped Guided Tours:
The 32-minute audio tour, "A Tribute to Freedom," is narrated by Pulitzer Prize winning historian Stephen Ambrose and the Oscar-winning actor, Gregory Peck. The audio-taped tours cost $2.

All groups must call to make a reservation.

Scavenger Hunts:
Students may learn and retain new information better on their museum visit by participating in a Scavenger Hunt. To complete their booklets students must explore the exhibit dioramas for answers. View the Scavenger Hunt booklets available for grades K-12. Will the Scavenger Hunt booklets make your students museum visit more enjoyable and more educational? Bring them in and find out!

All groups must call to make a reservation.

For more information on tours and reservations, please contact the Curator of Visitor Services – (608) 264-6086.