Wisconsin Historical Society announces fall 2025 events, where unique Wisconsin stories, personal artifacts, true crime walking tours and the history of farming come to life
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Historical Society’s History Maker Space in downtown Madison is hosting its fall 2025 events, offering new ways to explore the stories that shaped Wisconsin and its capital city. From lunchtime lectures and intergenerational storytelling to walking tours and panel discussions, these events are designed for anyone curious about the past, from lifelong history enthusiasts to casual learners.
This season, visitors can take part in History Sandwiched In, a lunch-hour series exploring Wisconsin’s most fascinating stories, from the development of Madison’s community and service institutions to the tales of lumberjacks. Objects that Connect Us invites participants to share personal artifacts and uncover stories that bridge generations. On the Madison Misdeeds: A True Crime Walking Tour, attendees will retrace more than a century of crimes carried out on Madison’s streets between the 1840s and 1970s. Finally, Perspectives: Who is a Farmer? features a panel discussion with Wisconsin farmers, highlighting their personal journeys, challenges and the evolving role of agriculture in the state.
To register for fall History Maker Space programs, go to wisconsinhistory.org or click here. Advance registration is recommended for all programs, which are free or low-cost. Wisconsin Historical Society members receive a 10% discount on paid events.
More Information:
History Sandwiched In
Tuesdays: 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Sept. 16 & 30; Oct. 14 & 28; Nov. 11
Want a crash course on some fascinating Wisconsin stories over your lunch break? Check out History Sandwiched In, an event where scholars, historians, authors and community members come together to explore Wisconsin’s past. Topics range from the history of the Hmong in Wisconsin to 150 years of Madison’s Public Library.
Upcoming scheduled talks include:
Sept. 16 – “The History of Prince Hall Free Masonry in Wisconsin” with Alan Chancellor, lodge historian for Madison’s Capitol City Lodge No. 2. Discover the work and impact of Prince Hall Free Masonry in Wisconsin, including the history of Madison’s Capitol City Lodge No.2, founded in 1906.
Sept. 30 – “Badger Tracks: The History and Development of Railroads in Madison and South-Central Wisconsin” with Scott Lothes, president and executive director of the Center for Railroad Photography & Art. From the historic nine lines radiating out of Wisconsin’s capitol city to the four that today still extend to their original destinations, explore the evolution of regional railroads over the past 170 years.
Oct. 14 – “Madison Public Library Celebrates 150 Years” with Tana Elias, Madison Public Library director. Learn about the founding and subsequent growth of Madison’s public library from two rooms in City Hall to ten community libraries and a mobile Dream Bus today.
Oct. 28 – “History of the Hmong in Wisconsin” with Mai Zong Vue, Hmong Institute’s chief operating officer. In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Hmong arrival to the United States, this presentation highlights how individuals, families and communities have become an integral part of the Badger State’s cultural landscape.
Nov. 11 – “Timber! A Northwoods Story of Lumberjacks, Logging, and the Land” with author and educator Susan Apps Bodily. Explore the story of Wisconsin’s logging boom, the devastation it caused, and the extraordinary efforts to restore the cutover land and log sustainably.
These free events take place at the History Maker Space, U.S. Bank Plaza at 1 S. Pinckney Street, on Madison’s Capitol Square at 12:30 p.m. and last approximately one hour. Guests are welcome to bring lunch to enjoy during the program, and advance registration is recommended. To register, go to wisconsinhistory.org or click here.
Objects that Connect Us: Sharing Stories Across Generations
Friday, Oct. 3, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Personal artifacts don’t just hold meaning, they hold stories. At Objects that Connect Us, participants are invited to bring cherished keepsakes – whether a handwritten recipe card, family photograph, heirloom or other treasured item – and share the memories, traditions and histories tied to them. Gather around a communal table, enjoy provided food and discover the connections that link community members and different generations. This unique program reflects the Wisconsin Historical Society’s efforts to create spaces where personal history becomes part of a shared cultural story. This special evening program is hosted by the History Maker Space and is free with advance registration. Go to wisconsinhistory.org or click here to register.
Madison Misdeeds: A True Crime Walking Tour
Thursdays: 5 to 6:30 p.m., Oct. 16 & 30
Saturdays: 10 to 11:30 a.m. or 1 to 2:30 p.m., Oct. 18
Step into Madison’s darker side and uncover more than a century of crime, corruption and scandal. This guided walking tour explores the city’s shadowy past full of bootleggers, bank robbers and even murderers. During the 1840s through the 1970s, criminals made their mark on Madison through a variety of misdeeds. From gambling dens and backroom deals to heists and cold-blooded acts, walk through Madison’s streets and visit sites where these very crimes occurred. Along the way, your guide will share how these episodes shaped the city’s history.
The tour starts and ends in front of the U.S. Bank Plaza at 1 S. Pinckney Street. The route covers approximately 1.3 miles with some paved but hilly terrain. This walking tour explores mature themes and is therefore recommended for ages 13 and up. The cost to attend is $20 per person. To book the Madison Misdeeds walking tour, go to wisconsinhistory.org or click here.
Perspectives: Who is a Farmer?
Thursday, Nov. 13, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
What does it mean to be a farmer in Wisconsin today? Join us at the Wisconsin Historical Society headquarters (816 State Street) for the inaugural program in our new Perspectives series, which invites community members to share how history, culture and lived experiences have shaped our state.
A panel of Wisconsin growers will reflect on their personal paths in agriculture, discussing the rewards and challenges of their work, from what inspires them to farm to their hopes for the future of America’s Dairyland. Guests will also have the chance to view a special pop-up display of historical artifacts and photographs from the Society’s collection, offering a look at how farming and rural life have evolved over time. Whether you grew up in a farming family or simply want to better understand the significance of agriculture to Wisconsin’s story, this event offers an engaging way to learn and connect with farmers from across Wisconsin.
The cost of the event is $15 and will be held a the Wisconsin Historical Society Headquarters Auditorium, 816 State Street in Madison. The event is sponsored by Findorff. Advance registration is recommended. For tickets, go to wisconsinhistory.org or click here.
About the 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. For more information, visit www.wisconsinhistory.org.
