Hidden History of the Capitol Square Walking Tour
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Event Details
Select Thursdays | 5:00 PM–6:45 PM
Apr 23, Apr 30, Aug 6, Sep 17, 2026
Select Saturdays | 1:00 PM–2:45 PM
May 9, Aug 15, Sep 26, Nov 7, 2026
From Our Founders to Modern Madison: Rich History Awaits
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 runs from spring through early fall, with scheduled dates on select Thursdays and Saturdays. Reserve your spot today.
Sponsored by J.H. Findorff & Son Inc.
What You’ll Experience
A guided tour featuring the rich history of our historic Capitol Square
Stops at iconic locations including the American House and Argus Bar
The chance to learn, ask questions and consider various interpretations of Madison history from an engaging guide
Cost
Adult (18-64): $20
Teen (13-17): $20
Senior (65+): $20
Child (5-12): $20
Children under 5: $0
Advanced registration is required.
Society members receive a 10% discount, please verify your membership where prompted to receive discount at check out.
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
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 on the Pinckney Street side and facing the Wisconsin State Capitol building.
Please arrive up to 15 minutes prior to the tour start time to ensure check-in with a WHS staff member to confirm your tour reservation.
The tour is approximately 1.3 miles 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.
Walking tours will happen rain or shine. In the case of inclement weather, consider bringing an umbrella.
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 PM on weekdays and will not reopen until Friday morning when regular business hours at the U.S. Bank Plaza building resume.
For 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.
Have Questions?
For more information, please contact the box office at 608-264-4848 or [email protected].