Wisconsin's Hidden History Makers Scavenger Hunt

Name: Wisconsin's Hidden History Makers Scavenger Hunt
Start: 2026-05-16T12:00:00-05:00
End: 2026-05-16T16:00:00-05:00
Location: State St, Madison, WI, United States

Schedule

Sat May 16 2026 at 12:00 pm to 04:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

State St, Madison, WI, United States | Madison, WI

𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩 𝙁𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙒𝙝𝙤 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝙖𝙙𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙚𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙙
Who were the hidden history makers quietly shaping law, environmental policy, medicine and more? Sign up for this State Street area scavenger hunt and learn about the important—yet often unknown—figures who contributed to our state, its communities and our larger story. As you search, hints will lead you to a series of pop-up portraits located within and by the shops and stores of State Street, where you’ll learn more about each individual in the exhibit... can you find them all? From Grammy-winning musicians to athletic innovators and so many more, there's no shortage of discoveries to make about the people whose work and accomplishments have been felt throughout Wisconsin and the nation.
Those who successfully complete the Scavenger Hunt during the program day will receive a set of limited-edition postcards honoring selected history makers and their stories. The portraits included in the Wisconsin’s Hidden History Makers Scavenger Hunt are part of the Wisconsin’s Hidden History Makers: A Pop-Up Portrait Experience exhibit. The exhibit is part of the Wisconsin History Makers Tour and conducted in partnership with Downtown Madison.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲
Find portraits of history makers who shaped Wisconsin and the country—and continue to have an impact today
Explore State Street with family and friends through an exciting scavenger hunt filled with clues and multiple locations
Upon completion of the Scavenger Hunt, claim a unique set of postcards that commemorate the stories of impactful Wisconsinites

𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁
Free and open to the public
Register: https://wihist.org/4rmRpbe

𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
The Wisconsin’s Hidden History Makers Scavenger Hunt takes place at a variety of locations along and near State Street, starting at The Forum (the plaza at the intersection of N. Carroll Street and State Street) and ending at the Wisconsin Historical Society Headquarters building (located on the Library Mall). Portraits of history makers will be located at different stores, restaurants, museums, and organizations within and along this stretch of State Street.
𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 | 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘂𝗺
30 State Street
Madison, WI 53703
𝗥𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 | 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗼𝗿
State Street 100–800 Blocks
Madison, WI 53703
𝗘𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 | 𝗪𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀
816 State Street
Madison, WI 53706

𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗚𝗼
𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
Scavenger hunt signups are available in 30-minute increments from 12 PM–3 PM.
When reserving a ticket time, Scavenger Hunt participants can check in at any point within the respective half hour time slot. For example, if a ticket is reserved for 1 PM, participants are encouraged to check in and start the hunt anytime between 1 and 1:30 PM.
The event will end at approximately 4 PM, with most event staff collecting remaining program materials and leaving event stations at that time. Staff assigned to the Wisconsin Historical Society Headquarters building will remain at the final location until 4:30 PM to welcome participants who started the Scavenger Hunt later.
The scavenger hunt should take roughly 45 minutes to 1.5 hours to complete.
Limited-edition postcards are available only upon completion of the Scavenger Hunt and for the duration of this program date and time (Saturday, May 16, 2026 | 12 PM – 4 PM). They can be claimed at the Wisconsin Historical Society Headquarters building.
Wisconsin’s Hidden History Makers Scavenger Hunt is part of the larger Wisconsin’s Hidden History Makers: A Pop-Up Portrait Experience.
The scavenger hunt takes place on paved terrain but does involve a minimal number of stairs and steps. Comfortable shoes for walking are strongly recommended.
The Scavenger Hunt Program day will take place rain or shine.
Participants are encouraged to bring water and wear sun protection. Portraits may be located inside or outside of businesses, and event participants will spend time outdoors. In case of inclement weather, bring an umbrella.
𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲, 𝗟𝗼𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴:
The event route from the starting location to the ending location is approximately .8 miles in length (in one direction).
The Scavenger Hunt starts at The Forum near the top of State Street between Ian’s Pizza and the Wisconsin Veterans Museum. At the starting location participants will receive a scavenger hunt booklet and additional information about participating.
Portraits will be at various locations along State Street, with participants reading clues and encouraged to look outside as well as inside businesses, museums, and other establishments for the respective history maker.
The Scavenger Hunt concludes at the Wisconsin Historical Society Headquarters with the final history maker profile.
For the locations and prices of public parking garages and lots located near State Street (such as State Street Campus Garage, Overture Center Garage, or the State Street Capitol Garage) visit the City of Madison website. In addition to parking garages and lots, street parking information is available online as well.
Onsite parking is not available at the Wisconsin Historical Society Headquarters building.
For additional information or questions about the event, please contact Jenny Pederson at [email protected]

𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀?
For more information, please contact the box office at 608-264-4848 or [email protected].