Hidden History of the Capitol Square Walking Tour
Schedule
Thu Sep 11 2025 at 05:00 pm to 06:30 pm
UTC-05:00Location
1 S Pinckney St, Madison, WI 53703-2808, United States | Madison, WI
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The Hidden History of the Capitol Square Walking Tour was canceled for May 15 and August 16. We have spots available in this walking tour on other dates. Discover the rich history and untold stories of Wisconsin’s capital city as you journey through the streets of downtown Madison. Explore the historic Capitol Square and visit the former site of the American House, a modest hotel where state officials stayed during Madison’s earliest legislative sessions. Stop by the Argus Bar, a modern establishment housed in one of Madison’s oldest surviving commercial buildings—a building that was once home to the Argus newspaper.
Throughout the tour, your guide will discuss the various ways that generations of residents have viewed and shaped the landscape, revealing the many layers of our capital’s past—from its earliest inhabitants to its emergence and establishment as a thriving, modern city.
This beloved annual walking tour, now returning after a brief hiatus, runs from spring through early fall, with scheduled dates on both Thursdays and Saturdays. Reserve your spot today.
COST
Adult (18-64): $20
Teen (13-17): $20
Senior (65+): $20
Children (5-12): $20
Children Under 5: Free
Advance registration required.
Society members receive a 10% discount, please verify your membership where prompted to receive discount at check out.
Book Tickets: https://wihist.org/4jfRxEO
About the Location
An active, community-focused space that hosts school groups, pop-up exhibits, author talks, public programs and more; located in the US Bank Building on Madison's Capitol Square.
History Maker Space
1 S. Pinckney Street
Madison, WI 53703
Know Before You Go
General Information
*Although the tour is based out of the Wisconsin History Society (WHS) History Maker Space, this tour will be taking place within the community and will be visiting multiple locations.
*The starting and ending location of the tour is in front of the U.S. Bank Plaza building, facing the Wisconsin State Capitol building. Upon arrival at the starting location, please check-in with a WHS staff member to confirm your tour reservation.
*The guided tour is approximately 1.3 mile in length and covers some paved but hilly terrain. Comfortable shoes for walking are strongly recommended.
*Tour participants are encouraged to bring water, sunglasses and a hat with them as the tour will be taking place entirely outdoors and shade will vary.
*Walking tours will happen rain or shine. In the case of inclement weather, consider bringing an umbrella.
Parking
*For Thursday tour dates, it is strongly recommended not to park in the underground onsite garage at the U.S. Bank Plaza Building. The U.S. Bank Plaza parking garage closes after 6 p.m. on weekdays and will not reopen until Friday morning when regular business hours at the U.S. Bank Plaza building resume.
*Regarding Saturday tour dates, the underground onsite garage at the U.S. Bank Plaza building is not open.
*As an alternative to parking onsite at the U.S. Bank building, there are public parking options available in downtown Madison. There is a public parking garage, Capitol Square North Garage (218 E. Mifflin St., Madison, WI 53703), located about two blocks and a 10-minute walk from the tour’s starting location and end location. In addition, there is street parking information on the City of Madison website.
Tour participants with questions about the tour content, or with mobility concerns are encouraged to contact Jenny Pederson at [email protected] or (608) 669-5160.
Contact
For more information, please contact the box office at 608-264-4848 or [email protected].
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Where is it happening?
1 S Pinckney St, Madison, WI 53703-2808, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
