Wisconsin Veterans Museum Celebrates 125th Anniversary
Media Day April 17th marks beginning of year-long celebration
MADISON, April 2, 2026 —
Born out of the desire of Civil War veterans to honor the service of their comrades and to educate future generations about the cost of liberty, the Wisconsin Veterans Museum has collected, preserved, and shared the stories of Wisconsin veterans since 1901.
WHAT:
To mark the 125th anniversary of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum (WVM), media are invited to a Media Day on Friday, April 17th. In April of 1901, WVM's predecessor, the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Memorial Hall, was founded by Union Civil War veterans from Wisconsin.
On April 17, 1901, the battle flags of the state’s 53 volunteer regiments from the Civil War were returned from the Wisconsin Historical Society to the care of the Grand Army of the Republic headquarters at the State Capitol Building. The return of the battle flags, which are the foundation of the museum’s collection, coupled with the passage of Act 125 in April 1901 that created the GAR Memorial Hall, mark the beginning of WVM’s mission to preserve and share the stories of Wisconsin’s veterans and educate the public.
- A special exhibit of museum artifacts that survived the 1904 State Capitol Building fire will be on view at the museum.
- A timeline WVM’s history is here: https://wisvetsmuseum.com/125-years-of-sharing-our-veterans-stories/
- In the West Gallery of the State Capitol Building, a timeline detailing museum history is on view through April 24, 2026.
WHO:
Media will have the opportunity to speak with museum director, Chris Kolakowski about the solemn mission of the museum and view significant artifacts from the collection. Please reserve an interview timeslot with our media contact.
WHEN:
Friday, April 17, 2026
8:30 am – 2pm
WHERE:
Wisconsin Veterans Museum
30 W. Mifflin Street
Madison, WI 53703
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jen Stevenson
Marketing Specialist, Sr.
Wisconsin Veterans Museum
(608) 224-9653
Jennifer.stevenson@dva.wisconsin.gov