In April of 1901 the Wisconsin legislature passed Act 125 which reads in part:
“AN ACT to provide for a memorial hall in honor of Wisconsin soldiers and sailors who served in the army or navy of the United States in the civil war of 1861 to 1865 or any subsequent war, and to provide for a suitable place or places for the care of relics and mementoes of said wars and making an appropriation therefor. And providing for the return of battle flags to the capitol building.”

Honoring the service of our veterans and preserving their stories in a dedicated space is now law thanks to the advocacy of Civil War veterans led by Hosea Rood.