Hours
For Headquarters, Library, Archives and Program Offices
The Wisconsin Historical Society's headquarters building (map) is located on Library Mall of the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. We are free and open to the public.
Wisconsin Historical Society
816 State Street
Madison, WI 53706
Phone: 608-264-6535
Email: asklibrary@wisconsinhistory.org
Website: www.wisconsinhistory.org
Library Hours
Librarians and archivists are available to help you explore our collections documenting the history of North America. Our hours are subject to change based on the University of Wisconsin-Madison academic calendar. See the scheduled closures section below.
Friday and Saturday, 8 am - 5 pm
Access to the Microforms Room and book stacks ends 30 minutes before closing time.
Archives Hours
Hours subject to change based on the University of Wisconsin-Madison academic calendar.
See the scheduled closures section below.
Mon - Fri, 8 am-5 pm
Sat, 9 am-4 pm
Sunday and Major Holidays - Closed
Retrieval Hours for Archives Collections
Hours subject to change based on the University of Wisconsin-Madison academic calendar.
See the scheduled closures section below.
Mon - Fri, 9 am-12:00 pm, and 1 pm-4 pm
Sat, 9 am-4 pm(Note: Limited paging during the lunch hour.)
Sunday and Major Holidays - Closed
Scheduled Closures
The chart below shows when the Library's hours are shortened, and when the Library and Archives are closed for holidays and other events. This schedule may change without notice. Before traveling to Madison to use our collections, please call 608-264-6534 to confirm operating hours.
| Date | Change to Schedule | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| January 19-21 | Closed | M.L. King Day |
| March 18-23 | 8 am - 5 pm | UW Spring Break |
| May 13 | Summer Hours Begin | |
| May 25-27 | Closed | Memorial Day |
| June 10 | 8 am - 3 pm | Special Event |
| July 4 | Closed | Independence Day |
| August 31-September 2 | Closed | Labor Day |
| September 3 | Summer Hours End | |
| September 14 | Library closes at 3:30 | Special Event |
| September 18 | Library closes at 4pm | Special Event |
| October 11 | Library closes at 4pm | Special Event |
| October 24 | Archive closes at 4 pm | Special Event |
| November 27 | 8 am - 5 pm | Day Before Thanksgiving |
| Nov 28 | Closed | Thanksgiving |
| Dec 24-25 | Closed | Christmas |
| Dec 23, 26-28, 30 | 8 am - 5 pm | UW Winter Break |
| Dec 31, 2019 - Jan 1, 2020 | Closed | New Year |
Have Questions?
Contact our Library and Archives staff at 608-264-6535 or by email below: