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The Great Wisconsin History Road Trip is Your Pastport to Summer Adventure

New Wisconsin Historical Society program includes free admission to 11 statewide historical sites,

plus additional perks and incentives

Madison, Wis. - Time travel just got easier – and a lot less expensive. The Wisconsin Historical Society’s new Member Pastport program offers a unique summer journey sure to appeal to history lovers, family fun-seekers and bargain hunters alike. From the hidden Lake Geneva retreat of a wealthy beer baron to the colorful spectacle of the great American Circus, the Member Pastport offers almost limitless ways to connect with Wisconsin history. The program includes free admission to the Society’s 11 historic sites, in addition to incentives like gift shop discounts, history road trip swag and a free family membership. 

“Summer is a great time to hit the road and explore,” said Hannah Hankins, annual giving director, Wisconsin Historical Society. “The Pastport program is an added benefit of Society membership and encourages folks to take ‘The Great Wisconsin History Road Trip’. Plus, it’s a phenomenal travel value.”

The 32-page Pastport, emulating an official passport, offers a description, visitor tips and photographs of each site along with a space to receive a Pastport stamp. In addition to the stamp, history road trippers can collect hundreds of experiences along the way, including taking a horse-drawn stagecoach ride, watching a dazzling Big Top performance at the original home of the Ringling Bros. Circus, exploring a Cornish mining village, working alongside a village blacksmith and more.

 Wisconsin’s 11 historical sites, located from the southeast corner to the far northern tip of the state, include: Black Point Estate & Gardens, Lake Geneva, Wis.; Circus World, Baraboo, Wis; First Capital, Bellevue, Wis.; H.H. Bennett Studio & Museum, Wisconsin Dells, Wis.; Madeline Island Museum, Madeline Island, Wis; Old World Wisconsin, Eagle, Wis; Pendarvis, Mineral Point, Wis.; Reed School, Neillsville, Wis.; Stonefield, Cassville, Wis., Villa Louis, Prairie du Chien, Wis. and Wade House, Greenbush, Wis.

Those who have discovered the joy of historic travel include Julia Silvers of the popular online travel blog, That Wisconsin Couple, and her sister Haley Dolata. Last August, the two embarked on a bucket list road trip, visiting 11 historical sites in 10 days. “It was truly a trip of a lifetime,” said Julia. “And I don’t say that lightly. I learned so much, got to cross so many places off my Wisconsin bucket list, and made some great memories with my sister.”

Wisconsin Historical Society membership, starting at $60 per year, includes free admission to 11 sites along with discounts to special programs and events. The Society offers reduced-membership options for families who participate in public assistance programs, members of the military and teachers. Members who collect all 11 Pastport stamps will receive a free family membership, a $125 value. Those who acquire six site stamps receive a free “Great Wisconsin History Road Trip” tote bag and members who present three site stamps garner a $5 gift shop discount. Family memberships also include admission to 1,100 North American Reciprocal Museum Association (NARM) member organizations around the country. Member Pastports are available at all 11 sites.

For more information on Wisconsin Historical Society membership and the Pastport program, visit wisconsinhistory.org/membership. To explore the Society’s historic sites, visit wisconsinhistory.org/sites.

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.