The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs opposed a 1955 attempt by certain legislators to absorb the GAR Memorial Hall space and transfer its display function as well as its collections to the Wisconsin Historical Society. An avalanche of protest from veterans groups resulted in the bill not making it out of committee. In February 1957, Governor Vernon Thompson recommended in his executive budget that the Hall be moved from the Capital Building to the Wisconsin Historical Society building near the UW campus.

In November of 1957, Act 678 created the Veterans Memorial Commission, a body to approve any proposed modifications to the state’s veteran memorials. The act ensured the Hall’s tenure in the Capitol Building.