This was such an incredible experience. I read reviews prior, and everyone mentioned how small it was. Yes, it was small, but it was so cool to see all the history, and their displays are amazing. It's also free, which makes it even better. read more

Wisconsin Veterans Museum - Museums Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Free admission to this local museum located right across from the State Capitol. The staff working during our visit were friendly and helpful with questions. It's a self-guided experience featuring two large exhibit halls with a strong focus on Wisconsin's veterans. I appreciated how the displays flowed chronologically, covering history from the Civil War through the modern War on Terror. It took us 30-45 minutes, but likely more time if you really read it all thoroughly. read more

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A Tribute to Courage and Sacrifice The Wisconsin Veterans Museum in Madison is an absolute must for new visitors. The exhibits consist of stories of bravery, service, and resilience of veterans. The displays and artifacts add to the educational purposes. The staff is knowledgeable and passionate, adding depth to the visit with their insights. What truly sets this museum apart is its ability to honor veterans without glossing over the complexities of war. The museum is free (donations encouraged), well-maintained, and accessible plus perfect for families, history lovers, and anyone looking to reflect on the sacrifices made for our freedoms. A must for a Madison visit. read more

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I can't say going to a Veterans Museum was on my radar when I popped into town a random weekend in July-- but alas, I went and checked it out. It did not disappoint! First off, it is free. Secondly, it is in a convenient locale for folks staying near the Capitol. It starts with the Wisconsin Civil War regiments -- and continues on through all of the US's major wars. Really showcasing what Wisconsin veterans culture. The guns, uniforms, flags and photos on display were very interesting. But my favorite were the random items on display (like a wedding dress made from a parachute brought home by a soldier). They were really thoughtfully displayed and it is super cool they were donated to be seen by all. Overall, my kiddos found it interesting! I'm from Iowa and we have nothing like this. Check it out but remember it is closed on Mondays and all major holidays. read more

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Amazing museum! Very friendly staff. I love the collection of war memorabilia especially the Vietnam War helicopter read more

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This museum shares tons of stories, memorabilia and details across years of military history and especially the Wisconsin veterans who served. It was a great way to spend an afternoon. read more

From Wisconsin? Need a museum to archive and display your late father's war memorabilia? Well, has the state got a solution for you. Well maintained and nicely arranged with a killer gift shop. Aims to demonstrate the state's martial traditions. Friendly peeps. Free. read more

Located across from the Capital, this free museum was worth the visit, ( donations accepted). The museum is not large, but packs in alot of information in a small space. The exhibits are nicely displayed and easy to navigate through. The displays were interesting and the information was interesting and easy to understand. There are several benches, to stop and rest, or view the displays. We spent about 30 minutes here, but easily could have spent some more time. There are several museums in Madison, and this was worth the stop. read more

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This museum is absolutely worth a visit! The information and displays are extremely well done. We wish that we had scheduled more time than we had available. (They do offer tours; however, I do not know the particulars of those. Call them for that info.) This isn't just about WI. Don't miss out on this historical account of the USA ! read more

Great museum. Small but powerful. Very friendly and helpful staff. Admission is donation based. The museum focuses on Wisconsin's involvement in wars and conflicts from the Civil War to date. Lots of information and history. Special exhibits change every few months. We saw an art exhibit done by Vets with PTSD. Highly recommend a visit to Wisconsin Veterans Museum. Street meter parking. read more

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Awesome museum located across from the capital building. It is free and could take a couple hours to get through. There is so much history right there. It has several different wars all the way up to present day. They have little tv screens that provide additional information on wars and people who fought in them. The people figures are so realistic. It also has a store out front. I would highly recommend checking this place out! It is definitely worth it! read more

Unlike one ranter on here who doesn't like wars and finds this museum despicable, I think what one finds here are the best museum presentations in Madison! And I'm a pacifist! My judgement has nothing to do with my political views and everything to do with artistry, signage and orientation. My great grandfather was a Civiil War soldier from Wisconsin so I found those open dioramas intresting. Granted that the psychology underlying the signage touts American military history uncritcally, the people responsible for developing the overall setting are to be commended. read more

A family-friendly museum in Madison, right by the Capitol. The perfect location, specially on a Saturday morning; when you can also enjoy Dane County Farmers' Market. It's a free history lesson every visitor in Madison should take. read more

Wisconsin Veterans Museum - Museums Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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I'm not particularly interested in war in and of itself, but I do enjoy learning about our state's history and going to museums in general. The Wisconsin Veterans Museum is small but packs in some cool displays. If you, like me, love a good diorama, you won't be disappointed with the aircraft overhead, life-sized soldiers, and peeks into various buildings. One thing that's unique about WVM is that their motto is "every veteran is a story" - while the plaques give a general overview of the various wars in which Wisconsin troops have served, the items on display are often linked back to a real person and have real recollections and quotes from the owners to accompany them. I haven't really seen anything along those lines at other museums for average joes, so it's really moving to see and hear accounts of regular people. The WWI area has an interactive video table that allows you to search veterans of the war; I'd love to see this feature available for everyone who served in one of the represented conflicts. My father and grandfather both served and it'd be neat to have their experiences/photos/etc. documented for posterity. I read just about every plaque and walked through the entire first floor and it took me a little over an hour to complete the loop. It's big enough that making a special trip is worth it if the content interests you, but it's not so much of a commitment that you can't bring kids or have to devote your entire day to it. The museum is free, which is a bonus. There's a cash box for donations near the entrance. Keep your eyes peeled for special projects; a few years ago the band Count This Penny created an EP based off the diaries of Wisconsin Civil War soldiers. The museum has some really interesting things like that where history intersects art and culture. Glad I stopped in during my winter break and I wish I hadn't waited so long to go! read more

Very neat museum in Madison. It's free admission but of course a donation is appreciated. All of the statues looked so realistic with all of the very fine details, I couldn't tell if they were fake or real! read more

Wisconsin Veterans Museum - Museums Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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What a hidden gem of a museum! I had no idea this little spot even existed until we spotted it while at the Taste of Madison. The museum itself is small (2-3 large sized rooms), and admission is free, making this an awesome spot to kill an hour if you're in the capital area. I was really impressed by the variety of artifacts (uniforms, weaponry, etc.) on display from the Civil War to the War on Terrorism. I was also impressed by how fresh the museum felt--not at all stuffy or old like many museums can be. Be sure to check out the periscope that gives you 360 degree views from the top of the building. Super cool! read more

An amazing museum that is FREE! My father was in the Army and was stationed in Korea. This museum shows and shares important stories. read more

Wisconsin Veterans Museum - Museums Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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If you are in Madison, you have got to visit this museum. I am so impressed by the dioramas and the artifacts here. Each set up was very realistic. Be sure to notice the murals that are in the background of each display. They are amazing. The artifacts are in pristine shape. Even though it is a small museum, there are benches to sit on, if you need to rest for a few minutes. There is a small gift shop also. read more

This is a must see!!! An awesome display of history and how Wisconsin was effected and contributed from the start to current times. Attendance is free--donations are excepted (I would encourage it). read more

A small, but excellent, museum, focused on Wisconsin's veterans but also giving an overview of U.S. military history. Very nice exhibits, appropriate artifacts, a few planes and vehicles. Just a really nice collection over all. Oh, and free. They appreciate donations, but weren't pushy about it. That attitude makes me give even more, of course. read more

Nice little Veteran's Museum located across the street from the State Capitol. If you're visiting the capitol building take some time to stop in at this museum. While small, three large rooms and the entrance/gift shop, it does offer visitors a look at Wisconsin's contributions to the armed forces. read more

Wisconsin Veterans Museum - Museums Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Visited the Veteran's museum in December 2018, and really enjoyed it. The museum is located across the street from the Capital. Admission is free, there may be a donation bin. It's open Tues-Sat, from 0930 - 4:30pm, and from 12-4 on Sundays. The staff were very friendly and helpful. There is also a nicely stocked gift shop. The museum is small but the exhibits are incredibly assembled and displayed. I wish it was bigger, but the museum did a great job with the space and artifacts. It will take you 1-3 hours to tour the museum. Definitely worth your time if you are in the area, and especially if you are veteran. read more

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Amazing museum! We were visiting Madison and I looked at tons of different websites about places to visit and this place was never listed but it definitely should be. Let me preface this with the fact that I don't normally care for museums...however, the way they had it setup and the items that were on display were very interesting and the staff are super nice. Definitely look through the submarine telescope before you head towards the exit doors and see what view of the Capitol you can get! read more

I suspect most readers have walked past this museum many times without a thought--don't make that mistake again, it's a great museum! And admission is FREE! The museum starts with Wisconsin military history during the civil war and goes up to the current military conflict now. Each exhibition has many historical artifacts, well-written explanation of the exhibits and military history, and media presentations (touchscreen/video/sound). When you enter the antechamber for WW1 and beyond, the plane and helicopter exhibits on the ceiling are life size. I had only a brief time here but one could have a serious history lesson from exploring the museum. Currently there's a Yelp check-in deal for museum membership. A hidden gem--do not forget to use the periscope for a birds-eye view of the Capital! read more

I visited this museum in 8/04. It's small, but very interesting and informative.

First off, this is a free museum, so you can't expect the same level of "wow" that you would at a paid museum. That said, their displays are fantastic, enjoyable, and there's a lot of really awesome artifacts. Everything is fairly well explained, and there's just a lot of really interesting stuff. It does get a bit crowded, and sometimes the displays feel almost braggy about Wisconsin's involvement, but overall it's really cool and very educational! read more

This museum was much better then I expected. Larger two. It went the war history of Wisconsin. How people from the Cheese State served this great country. This started at the Civil war and went to present day. Also went through the weapons throughout this history. Very informative exhibits if you take the time to read through them. We spent a little over a hour there and really enjoyed that time. Admission is free but please donate a little money for that is how they run. Gift shop has a lot to offer as well. read more

I am a huge history buff and looking for a way to use up some time out and about with the little ones and ths was perfect....first off, free admission!! Can't beat that- the museum is on the smaller side but I thought the exhibits were very well done. Probably a little too life-like for little ones but there was no freaking out! Their was a cool emphasis on the Wisconsin veterans and the roles that were played and I thought it was a poignant local feel for the sacrifices so many gave. I will be back- but next time will try to avoid the gift shop...!! read more

First, you can't beat free! The rest just falls into place. This museum is a must see. Talks about Wisconsinites that fought from the civil war to current wars. Lots of interesting facts and tons of visual aides! Great place! read more

Nice museum, you can tell they have put a lot of effort into the detail. I was here for an evening reception with a group of museum professionals during a conference, so I wasn't able to commit to reading all the information but what I did see was very informative. Very nice place to stop in and learn about Wisconsin's military contributions. read more

This is a nice, free museum in an unbeatable location. The staff are friendly and helpful. There are displays pertaining to wars from the Civil War through present day, concentrating on the WI connections. I'd definitely suggest combining this with a visit to the WI Historical Museum across the street for a fun museum day downtown! Photos allowed, but no flash. I particularly loved the exhibit of art made by veterans. read more

Very informative and contained real-life displays including objects from badges to uniforms to helicopters and everything in between. It was neat to look through the submarine periscope and see the Capitol! Best of all, it's free! read more

Amazing experience awesome place very detailed and you can tell there has been a lot of work put into it! Right next to the Capitol building! It has a gift shop it is also a free museum if you have backpacks or other items they aren't allowed past the front desk read more

This is a fun little museum to walk through! It's free for the public to tour, and is in a great location- just across the street from the Capitol! It is very informative, and has many cool weapons and miscellaneous items from wars. read more

Great place. What an immersive experience. Powerful, moving and worth a visit. I would recommend visiting. The artwork is an emotional experience. Take your time to absorb it all. read more

I had about 45 minutes before I had to meet some friends so I decided to venture into this museum and check it out. It was free and had A/C so those were another two pluses. The front desk people were really nice and helpful. Note that if you have bags/a backpack, you have to leave them upfront. In terms of exhibits, you can learn about Wisconsin soldiers throughout the years: the Civil War, WW I, WWII, and up to the Persian Gulf War. I found the Civil War section to be particularly interesting -- I learned more about Wisconsinites' stance towards slavery. I also enjoyed the media exhibits where you could hear Wisconsin soldiers talk about their experiences -- I think that was in the Vietnam war section. read more

The museum is very comprehensive and very well done. I think it would be a helpful addition if a large map of Viet Nam were added to the museum. read more