Hours | Wisconsin Historical Society

General Information

Hours

For Headquarters, Library, Archives and Program Offices

Hours | Wisconsin Historical Society

Temporary Change to Library Hours 

Beginning Monday, May 19, the Wisconsin Historical Society Library will operate under adjusted hours to support the Wisconsin History Center project
This schedule is temporary. We expect to return to normal hours in 2027. 
This change does not affect Archives hours. 

General Information

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

Library & Archives

Library Reading Room

M – W: 8 AM – 5 PM
Th: 8 AM – 7 PM
F: 8 AM – 5 PM
Sat: 9 AM – 4 PM
Closed Sundays

Archives Reading Room

M - F: 8 AM - 5 PM
Sat: 9 AM - 4 PM
Closed Sundays


For information on exceptions to our hours (e.g. for holidays and private events) please review our Scheduled Closures

VIRTUAL SERVICES

In addition to our in person services, we also provide a number of virtual services including:

HAVE QUESTIONS?

Contact our Library and Archives staff at 608-264-6535 or by email below:

Historic Preservation Office 

Our hours are Monday - Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm, appointments are strongly recommended but not required.
For information on exceptions to our hours (e.g. for holidays and private events) please review our Scheduled Closures

To schedule an appointment:

All appointment requests must be accompanied by a full list of requested materials. Access to files and scheduling is subject to staff availability. 

For all other services visit us at wisconsinhistory.org/hp or email your request to askshpo@wisconsinhistory.org

Scheduled Closures

The chart below reflects dates when the Library and Archives are closed or close early, 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.

DateChange to ScheduleReason
May 24-26Building ClosedMemorial Day
May 31Library Closes at 2:30Special Event
July 4-6Building ClosedIndependence Day
July 26Library Closes at 3:30Special Event
August 23Library Closes at 3:30Special Event
Aug 30-Sep 1Building ClosedLabor Day
November 27Building ClosedThanksgiving