Join the Wisconsin America250 Commission and the WDVA as the Badger State joins the nationwide simultaneous reading of the Declaration of Indepence.
The 22nd Annual Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation Golf Outing, sponsored by Mole Lake Casino, Lodge & Event Center and U.S. Vet General Contracting LLC is scheduled for Monday, July 13, 2026. The event will take place from 9 AM - 5:30 PM at the beautiful course at The Oaks Golf Course in Cottage Grove. Registration includes green fees, a cart with GPS, range balls, tee gift, lunch, dinner and reception following golf. Competitors will be divided into two separate divisions, allowing contestants the opportunity to compete with individuals in their own age group. Division one will be made up of contestants under 65 years of age. Division two will be contestants ages 65 and older. Winners in both divisions will receive prizes. All proceeds from this event support educational programs and exhibits at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum. Registration is SOLD OUT! Thank you to our current 2026 sponsors! Major Event Sponsors: Additional Sponsors Individual & Hero Sponsors: Alan & Lisa Kromanaker Cheryl Heiliger Denny & Joan Behr Drilling Family Fred & Ginny McCormick In Loving Memory of COL Donald L. Heiliger, USAF Madison History Roundtable *We are still seeking sponsorships!* To learn more about our sponsor packages, click here.
Join the staff in the museum galleries for our new book club. This month's selection is The Coldest Winter by David Halberstam. This monthly book club meet in the galleries and discuss the selected work that focuses on military history. At each meeting you will traverse the galleries with a staff member as your guide who will explain the context of the readings and show you how “Wisconsin Was There.” This event is free and open to the public. Please register in advance here.
Try historical military tabletop games and learn about the history behind the game play. We will be playing Heimlich & Co., an interesting yet complex spy game where everyone at the table is spying on each other. The goal of the game is to figure out which spies belong to which player. The player who correctly assigns spies to players wins. We will have at least one table of two-seven people, but can expand based on the number of reservations. Gameplay time is 30 minutes, so we will run more than one round. Suitable for ages 8+. Please register here to reserve a spot but we will take walk-ins though space is limited.
Grab some popcorn and a seat in your favorite chair and join us for a virtual discussion of the selected movie with the Wisconsin Veterans Museum staff. This is an online event. We will discuss the 2018 documentary film, They Shall Not Grow Old, directed and produced by Peter Jackson. It was created using footage of the First World War held by the British Imperial War Museum. Please register here. **ATTENTION: please use the following password to register for the event: Pr!vate Due to an influx of spam registrations, we have had to lock down the event with a password. Age Appropriate: This film may not be suitable for all ages as it depicts battle sequences, mild language, and alcohol and tobacco depictions.
Mess Night with Doug Bradley Please join us as we celebrate the release of Doug Bradley's latest book, The Tracks of My Years. Bradley, an esteemed author, educator, and Vietnam veteran, will share insights from his new music-based memoir, highlighting the role of music in his life. The event features live music by Sean Michael Dargan. Please register in advance here: $50 MEMBERS | $58 NON-MEMBERS Each MESS NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM features a guest speaker, topic, dinner, drinks, and time to socialize before and after the talk. Registration will be required before the event. Join us as we transform this historic naval tradition into our own. Event suitable for all ages. Event sponsored by the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation through the generous support of our 2026 Mess Night Series Sponsor Generac Power Systems.
Are you curious about how accurately Hollywood portrays historical events? Join the Wisconsin Veterans Museum as we delve into these topics through in-person tours that focus on a specific film and period of history (with a Wisconsin angle, of course). These tours are free to the public, but registration is required. We will discuss the 2018 documentary film, They Shall Not Grow Old, directed and produced by Peter Jackson. It was created using footage of the First World War held by the British Imperial War Museum. These tours free and open to the public, and are appropriate for all ages. Please register here.
Join us for an event to include a reading of Governor Evers' proclamation of August 27 as USS Wisconsin Day in recognition of the boat’s hull number, 827. USS Wisconsin (SSBN 827) Association officials will be present to answer questions. On view in the museum gallery will be a casting from torpedo tube the USS Wisconsin (SSBN 827) and images relating to the boat’s construction. SSBN 827 is the third U.S. Navy vessel to be named after the state of Wisconsin.
A generational story of war, service, and the families who carry the legacy. My Vietnam Your Iraq connects the stories of eight Vietnam veterans with the experiences of their own children who later deployed to serve in the Iraq War.
Try historical military tabletop games and learn about the history behind the game play. We will be playing Heimlich & Co., An interesting yet complex spy game where everyone at the table is spying on each other. We will set up based on the number of reservations. Suitable for ages 8+. Please register here to reserve a spot. Space is limited.
Grab some popcorn and a seat in your favorite chair and join us for a virtual discussion of the selected movie with the Wisconsin Veterans Museum staff. Register here. Age Appropriateness: This film may not be suitable for all ages as it depicts severe combat violence, strong language, and smoking.
Join the museum staff on a gallery tour focusing on themes in the book "Odysseus in America: Combat Trauma and the Trials of Homecoming."
Try historical military tabletop games and learn about the history behind the game play. We will be playing The Hunt (2023) in which one player assumes the leadership of the British Royal Navy, while the other player represents the German Kriegsmarin during World War II. We will set up based on the number of reservations. Suitable for ages 12+. Please register here to reserve a spot. Space is limited.
These 90-minute tours feature four vignettes that highlight the contributions of Wisconsinites who embodied and advanced the ideals that sparked that fight for independence. Come and hear about our ties to the American Revolution, learn about the lasting impact of Wisconsin’s service members and families, and discover advances in science and technology pioneered by our state’s citizenry. Buy your tickets here.
These 90-minute tours feature four vignettes that highlight the contributions of Wisconsinites who embodied and advanced the ideals that sparked that fight for independence. Come and hear about our ties to the American Revolution, learn about the lasting impact of Wisconsin’s service members and families, and discover advances in science and technology pioneered by our state’s citizenry. Buy your tickets here.
Do you like historical films? Are you curious about how accurately Hollywood portrays historical events? Join the Wisconsin Veterans Museum as we delve into these topics through in-person tours that focus on a specific film and period of history (with a Wisconsin angle, of course). These tours are free to the public, but registration is required. Do so here.
Honoring Service. Inspiring Community. This year's Convoy will celebrate the Wisconsin Veterans Museum's 125th Anniversary while recognizing America's 250th birthday. Together, we will honor Wisconsin veterans, share their stories and reflect on the rich military history that began at Camp Randall, one of the North's largest Civil War training grounds. 📅 Saturday, October 17, 2026 📍 Camp Randall Stadium – Madison, WI Featuring Keynote Speaker Professor John W. Hall In partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the event will feature a keynote address by Professor John W. Hall, Ambrose-Hesseltine Professor of Military History at UW-Madison, West Point graduate, former Army officer, and former Lead Historian at the Pentagon. Event Schedule 10:00 AM– VIP reception 11:45 AM– Lunch Service 1:00 PM– Keynote Address by Professor John W. Hall An expected 200 guests will attend, including veterans, community leaders, military officers, and business professionals. REGISTRATION IS OPEN! 🎟️ VIP tickets $125/person | 🎟️ General tickets $75/person VIP guests get extra perks: 10 am reception featuring open bar drinks and appetizers, photo opportunities with Bucky Badger and Civil War reenactors, and a unique augmented reality experience All guests will enjoy lunch at 11:45 am followed by the keynote presentation at 1 pm. Support the Convoy Speaker Series We invite you to join us in honoring our veterans by supporting this important event. Your sponsorship ensures that the powerful stories of Wisconsin’s veterans are preserved, shared, and celebrated for generations to come. To learn more about our sponsorship opportunities visit here. ⭐ A big thank you to our current 2026 event sponsors! Four-Star Sponsors: Mark & Carol Cullen Three-Star Sponsors: DoubleTree by Hilton Madison Downtown Two-Star Sponsors: Edgewood University Department of Military & Veterans Services, MIG Commercial Real Estate, LLC, Park Bank One-Star Sponsors: Captain Mary M. Kolar, USN (Ret) and Mr. Scott Kolar, Pearson Engineering, Wisconsin Capital Management
Please join us for our quarterly Mess Night dinner series with guest speaker Joseph Yorio. Drawing on his experience as an Army Ranger, Green Beret, paramilitary contractor, and global business executive, Joseph M. Yorio reveals that fearlessness is not the absence of fear: it is the discipline to act despite it. From combat zones in Central America, Africa, and the Middle East to boardrooms and Washington, D.C., he explores how decisive action, learning from failure, and relentless evolution overcome adversity and deliver results. This inspiring keynote challenges veterans and civilians to confront difficult problems, lead without waiting for permission, and build a legacy of courage, purpose, and action. Each Mess Night features a guest speaker, topic, dinner, drinks, and time to socialize before and after the talk. Registration will be required before the event. Join us as we transform this historic naval tradition into our own. Event suitable for all ages. $50 MEMBERS | $58 NON-MEMBERS Purchase tickets here. Event sponsored by the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation through the generous support of our 2026 Mess Night Series Sponsor Generac Power Systems.
Grab some popcorn and a seat in your favorite chair and join us for a virtual discussion of the selected movie with the Wisconsin Veterans Museum staff. Please register here. Age Appropriateness: This film may not be suitable for all ages as it depicts combat violence, mild language, and smoking.
Join the museum staff on a gallery tour focusing on themes in the book Soul Patrol: The Riveting True Story of the First African American LRRP Team in Vietnamlwritten by Ed Emanuel.
