Inspired! Legacy of Gary Gygax & Inspired! There's Something in Dairy Air, D&D 5e Adventure

Schedule

Sat Aug 22 2026 at 09:30 am to 04:30 pm

UTC-05:00
Location

1 S Pinckney St, Madison, WI 53703-2808, United States | Madison, WI

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𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱! 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗚𝘆𝗴𝗮𝘅
Saturday, Aug 22, 2026 | 9:30 AM–2 PM
𝙀𝙭𝙥𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙇𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙘𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙂𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙂𝙮𝙜𝙖𝙭 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙍𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙨, 𝘼𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖 𝙃𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙣
Pack your Bag of Holding and head to Madison for D&D-themed sessions brimming with fantasy and science fiction art, writing, worldbuilding and more! Join us for three FREE talks exploring the legacy of TSR as well as Dungeons & Dragons, both co-created by Gary Gygax.
𝟵:𝟯𝟬 𝗔𝗠–𝟭𝟬:𝟯𝟬 𝗔𝗠 —𝗝𝗶𝗺 𝗟𝗼𝘄𝗱𝗲𝗿, 𝗳𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘀𝘆 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿, 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿
Once upon a time, and not so long ago, Wisconsin ruled fantasy fiction publishing from the little town of Lake Geneva. Join author, editor, and game designer James Lowder for an insider look at the TSR fiction program and its impact on pop culture. From both editing and penning early TSR novels set in the Forgotten Realms and Ravenloft shared universes to designing, editing or consulting on publications for the first through the current fifth editions of Dungeons & Dragons, Lowder hails from a generation of creatives who championed TSR as a powerful force in fantasy publishing.
𝟭𝟬:𝟯𝟬 𝗔𝗠–𝟭𝟭:𝟯𝟬 𝗔𝗠 —𝗝𝗲𝗳𝗳 𝗕𝘂𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿, 𝗗𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗼𝗻𝘀 & 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁
Covers, monsters, epic heroes swinging steel and slinging spells in mid-combat... Jeff Butler’s illustrations have helped define Dungeons & Dragons products—as well as the Dragonlance series—for generations. In addition to helping cultivate the visual style of D&D for millions of players, Butler has worked on a variety of comic book titles and AAA video games in his long career. Learn about Butler’s craft and his contributions to the universe created by Gygax and TSR.
𝟭𝟭:𝟯𝟬 𝗔𝗠 – 𝟭𝟮:𝟯𝟬 𝗣𝗠 –𝗣𝗮𝘂𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗴, 𝗗𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗼𝗻𝘀 & 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘅𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿
An expert on TSR, D&D, and the RPG industry history, Paul Stormberg develops presentations, exhibits and all-new fantasy adventures at popular events such as Gary Con and Gen Con. Stormberg also researches and writes for print and digital RPG magazines, contributes to initiatives highlighting Gary Gygax’s role in creating D&D and more. Following his talk, Stormberg will host a pop-up exhibit, inviting guests to partake in a mini adventure within his exhibit world.
𝟵:𝟯𝟬 𝗔𝗠 – 𝟭𝟮:𝟯𝟬 𝗣𝗠 – 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴
Young minds—as well as those young at heart—are welcome to stop into our children’s programming area! Take on a challenge in the Beast of Bray Road Matching Game, test your mettle during the Cheese Stands Alone adventure and exercise your creativity at our Character Creation Station.
𝟮 – 𝟰:𝟯𝟬 𝗣𝗠 – 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝗶𝗿𝘆 𝗔𝗶𝗿: 𝗔 𝟱𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗢𝗻𝗲-𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘁
Looking for even more adventure? Don on your armor, prepare your spells, Purchase tickets ($25, per person) for a Wisconsin Adventures D&D one-shot adventure. There’s Something in the Dairy Air, a D&D 5e Adventure, is hosted in the History Maker Space from 2 PM – 4:30 PM.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂'𝗹𝗹 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲
Talks from renowned TSR, D&D, and fantasy writers, designers, editors and illustrators, including James Lowder, Jeff Butler and Paul Stormberg
Opportunities to pick up signed art and books
A pop-up merch table and fantasy display
Children’s programming featuring mini adventures and RPG-themed activities

𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁
Free and open to the public
Lecture room capacity is limited to 60 people. Walk-ins welcome, but registration is strongly recommended to guarantee your seat.
Reserve your spot: https://wihist.org/4uMf0DG

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
1st Floor
US Bank Building
1 S. Pinckney Street
Madison, WI 53703

𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗚𝗼 & 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆
Please note that capacity for the lectures is limited to 60 people per talk. To guarantee your spot, registration is strongly recommended.
Admittance to lecture programs will be provided to registered ticketholders first, with seating available (when possible) on a first-come first serve basis for walk-in attendees.
This ticket is valid only for lectures and does NOT include admission to the follow-up Wisconsin Adventures Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying session, There’s Something in the Dairy Air, a D&D 5e Adventure, hosted in the History Maker Space from 2 PM–4:30 PM.
Families interested in participating in the children’s programming can engage at their own pace between 9:30 AM–12:30 PM. No ticket is required to participate.
Individuals interested in viewing the pop-up exhibit or shopping at the merch tables do not need a ticket.
12:30 PM–2 PM, guests will be able to visit the pop-up fantasy exhibit and purchase merchandise, signed art and books in the History Maker Space public programming area.

𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
On Saturdays, there is no parking onsite at the U.S. Bank building.
However, 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 5-minute walk from the History Maker Space. In addition, there is street parking information on the City of Madison website.
Following parking and upon arrival at the U.S. Bank Plaza building, attendees are to enter from the street through the doors located along S. Pinckney St., or E. Washington Ave.
Please reach out to Jenny Pederson at [email protected] with any questions regarding programming.

𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀?
For more information, please contact the box office at 608-264-4848 or [email protected].
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𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱! 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝗶𝗿𝘆 𝗔𝗶𝗿, 𝗮 𝗗&𝗗 𝟱𝗲 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲
Saturday, Aug 22, 2026 | 2 PM–4:30 PM
𝙂𝙧𝙖𝙗 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝘿20 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘿𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙖 𝙕𝙖𝙣𝙮, 𝙒𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤-𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙙 𝘿&𝘿 𝙊𝙣𝙚-𝙎𝙝𝙤𝙩
Calling all adventurers with formidable combat skills and unusually desensitized olfactory senses! Travel to the village of Oxblood, where something especially foul has transpired at Steve and Bab’s dairy farm. A hideous reek spews from the barn, withering crops and watering eyes. At the request of the beleaguered villagers—who will pay handsomely for any adventurers willing to assist—this pernicious stink must be dealt with. But beware! Strange beasts roam the night, dissuading all who might interfere. Or are they... cows? Yes, they are—dairy cows sporting eyes filled with malice and breath that reeks of sour, nose-melting death...
So begins the special Wisconsin Adventures D&D one-shot session Inspired! There’s Something in the Dairy Air, a D&D 5e Adventure—pick up tickets now to uncover the mystery!
There’s Something in the Dairy Air, a D&D 5e Adventure is part of the Inspired! The Legacy of Gary Gygax series at the History Maker Space. Register for and join us before the adventure from 9:30 AM–2 PM for an author talk, conversations with D&D visual artists and the chance to pick up signed art, books and merchandise in the History Maker Space public programming space.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂'𝗹𝗹 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲
A zany, Wisconsin Adventure D&D session featuring mystery, intrigue and—of course—a cavalcade of malicious, foul-smelling dairy cows
In reserving your spot, you’ll receive a complementary gift bag of WisHistory-branded and Wisconsin Adventure merchandise
The chance to come early and hear talks from prominent D&D game designers, authors and artists
Opportunities to pick up merch, signed art and books, as well as view a pop-up exhibit celebrating the legacy of fantasy and roleplaying games

𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁
$25/person
Advance registration is recommended.
Society members receive a 10% discount, please verify your membership where prompted to receive discount at check out.
Book Tickets: https://wihist.org/4nQHKbU

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
1st Floor
US Bank Building
1 S. Pinckney Street
Madison, WI 53703

𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗚𝗼 & 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆
In reserving a spot, participants will receive a complementary gift bag of WisHistory-branded and Wisconsin Adventure merchandise.
The maximum capacity for this event is 48 people. Advanced registration is required to reserve your spot.
Guests attending There’s Something in the Dairy Air, a D&D 5e
Adventure may also attend Inspired! The Legacy of Gary Gygax at the History Maker Space from 9:30 AM–2 PM. This FREE event includes talks by renowned TSR, D&D, and fantasy writers, designers, editors and illustrators, including James Lowder, Jeff Butler and Paul Stormberg. Registration for that program is strongly encouraged.
From 12:30 PM–2 PM, guests will be able to visit the pop-up fantasy exhibit and purchase merchandise, signed art and books in the History Maker Space public programming space.
𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
On Saturdays, there is no parking onsite at the U.S. Bank building.
However, 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 5-minute walk from the History Maker Space. In addition, there is street parking information on the City of Madison website.
Following parking and upon arrival at the U.S. Bank Plaza building, attendees are to enter from the street through the doors located along S. Pinckney St., or E. Washington Ave.
Please reach out to Jenny Pederson at [email protected] with any questions regarding programming.

𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀?
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 States

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

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Wisconsin Historical Museum
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