Read about the Wisconsin Historical Museum's new exhibit documenting the life and career of comedian and Madison native, Chris Farley.

 

Exhibitions at the Wisconsin Historical Museum

Cartoon created and donated for That's the Ticket exhibit by Joe Heller.

That's the Ticket! A Parade of Presidential Elections
April 15 - November 8, 2008

In honor of this year's presidential election season, the museum presents this exhibition chronicling the highlights of past races for the White House, from 1856 (the first contest between the Republican and Democratic parties) through 2004. Included are more than 400 artifacts and photographs from the rich collections of the Wisconsin Historical Society — political campaign buttons, ribbons, bumper stickers, handbills, broadsides, tickets, pennants, clothing, novelties, and more.

Chris Farley in a publicity photo for Black Sheep. Image courtesy of Tom Farley, Jr.

Chris Farley Remembered
May 6 - November 15, 2008

Celebrate the life of comedian and Madison native Chris Farley with this exhibition featuring clothing, props, ephemera, and photographs from his years in Wisconsin and from his career. Artifacts include items from Second City and Saturday Night Live (SNL) and from the films Tommy Boy, Black Sheep, Beverly Hills Ninja, and Almost Heroes. Video clips highlight some of Farley's best SNL moments. The exhibit opens in conjunction with the release of a new biography, The Chris Farley Show, co-written by his brother Tom Farley.


Permanent Exhibits

People of the Woodlands: Wisconsin Indian Ways

People of the Woodlands: Wisconsin Indian Ways
Second Floor Galleries

Stories of native people living in Wisconsin before and after the fur trade. Enter an Aztalan-style house and discover the seasonal activities of Woodland peoples in the 1800s and 1900s. Unearth the work of archaeologists.

 

On Common Ground: 200 Years of Wisconsin History

On Common Ground: Two Hundred Years of Wisconsin History
Third and Fourth Floor Galleries

Explore themes unique to Wisconsin history from settlement days to the present. Discover a frontier lead mine, track immigration routes to the state, explore work and play in a lumber camp, and examine Wisconsin's political heritage.


Online Exhibits

Our collection of exhibits from the past and the present, online for your enjoyment.

  • Questions about this page? Email us
  • Email this page to a friend
Highlights Related Resouces
select text size Use the smaller-sized textUse the larger-sized textUse the very large text