Permanent Exhibits of Wisconsin Military History
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WVM Exhibits 20220314 9532
Permanent Exhibits

Through the stories of our veterans, experience how Wisconsin was there at significant moments in history.

19th Century Gallery

Within the 19th Century Gallery visitors are immersed in the stories of Wisconsin military history in the Civil War, the Spanish American War, the Philippine War, and through to the emergence of the United States as a military power with the U. S. Navy's Great White Fleet led by the USS Wisconsin (BB-9). View significant artifacts including battle-damaged flagpoles from the Battles of Antietam and Gettysburg, Wisconsin’s regimental Civil War battle flags, items from the Puerto Rico campaigns, and a cannon captured at the Battle of Shiloh.

What You'll See in the 19th Century Gallery

Old Abe - the war eagle of the 8th Wisconsin overlooks a museum gallery.

Old Abe the war eagle of the 8th Wisconsin.

Confederate Cannon captured from the Civil War in a museum gallery.

Confederate cannon captured by the 14th Wisconsin at the Battle of Shiloh

Civil war soldiers in a corn field with weapons drawn

Antietam Diorama

Military Uniforms from the Spanish American War in a museum gallery.

Spanish American War vignettes

US Navy Civil War gallery display with two mannequin sailors among artifacts.

U.S. Navy in the Civil War

Museum exhibit of sailor behind a wheel, uniforms and weapons

USS Wisconsin BB-9 and the Great White Fleet

20th Century to Present Gallery

Through stories and artifacts visitors will experience how Wisconsin was there at the pivotal moments in conflicts of the 20th and 21st centuries. Hear, in their own words, veterans recount everyday military life as well as their part in historic moments. Learn about the heroism of Wisconsin’s Medal of Honor recipients and our World War I and World War II flying aces. Discover the contributions of women in the armed forces, including stories of women present at the bombing of Pearl Harbor. See an iconic UH-1 Iroquois "Huey" helicopter that flew during Vietnam.

What You'll See in the 20th Century to Present Gallery

WWII plane over museum galleries with a jeep and soldiers below.

Panorama view of 20th c. to Present gallery

three mannequins in jungle scene

Pacific war in Buna diorama

Top view of a World War I biplane over museum displays of WWI.

World War I vignettes

Diorama of Korean War with two soldiers in a snow scene with a mortar,

Korea and Vietnam vignettes

Museum displays of WWII vessels, photos and artifacts from the era.

World War II vignettes

Woman at a machine gun dressed in desert fatigues overlooks artifacts from the OIF/OEF.

21st c. conflicts and War on Terror

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30 West Mifflin Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53703

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The museum is one of two Smithsonian Affiliates in the state and  is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.

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