The Wisconsin Veterans Museum in Madison, Wisconsin

Located at the corner of State and Mifflin Streets in downtown Madison, the Wisconsin Veterans Museum is dedicated to the history of the contributions of Wisconsin's military personnel to the nation. The Wisconsin Veterans Museum collections contain over 20,000 items including Wisconsin's Civil War battle flags; a research center with manuscripts, books, maps, and an oral history collection; and a 10,000 square foot exhibit area.

The origins of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum date back to 1901, when the state legislature passed a law mandating a memorial to Wisconsin's participation in the Civil War and all subsequent wars, and to provide display space for artifacts and items related to these wars. This space was set up in the State Capitol Building and was named the G.A.R. Memorial Hall after the Civil War Veterans organization known as the Grand Army of the Republic. Gradually, the museum outgrew its space in the Capitol building. In 1993, the museum moved across the street from the Capitol building to the current location.

The Civil War

The exhibit area opens with Wisconsin's participation in the Civil War. A 6 pounder smooth bore cannon (so named because of the weight of the solid projectile it fired) greets visitors at the entrance. A large number of Civil War era small arms are also on display including muskets, revolvers, and carbines used by the cavalry. Wisconsin sent four regiments of cavalry into the field during the war; one regiment, the First Wisconsin Cavalry, participated in the capture of Confederate President Jefferson Davis at the end of the war. Also on display is a 12 pounder Mountain Howitzer, a smaller weapon in size than the 6 pounder field gun, but one that could be disassembled and its components placed on mules or horses for transport.

Uniforms were not standardized at the outset of the war, and some Union Army regiments began the war wearing gray uniforms, often obtained from local militia units. Gray uniforms were worn by the men of the Second Wisconsin Infantry at the First Battle of Bull Run in 1861, and confusion over their identity led to several friendly fire casualties. Some examples of these rare Union gray uniforms are displayed in the Civil War exhibit. Wisconsin's Civil War battle flags are displayed on a rotating basis under glass to protect the fragile and often battle scarred relics.

One of the highlights of the Civil War area is a diorama depicting the action of the Iron Brigade (a unit that consisted largely of the Second, Sixth and Seventh Wisconsin Infantry regiments) at the Battle of Antietam. This diorama, like those in other areas of the museum, is made up of full sized, realistic looking figures. The Civil War exhibit concludes with displays depicting the importance of the G.A.R. in post war politics.

The World Wars

The exhibit for World War I includes a life sized diorama of soldiers fighting in trenches as well as a selection of weapons from the war, including several machine guns. These weapons caused considerable carnage in part because frontal assaults were frequently made into machine gun fire. The weaponry had advanced far beyond the tactics of the day.

The World War II exhibits include two life sized dioramas. The first is set in the South Pacific during the Buna Campaign in New Guinea. The 32^nd Division, a National Guard unit made up of Wisconsin and Michigan National Guardsman, saw extensive action during this campaign. The unit also fought in World War I in Europe. Today the 32^nd Division is made up entirely of Wisconsin National Guardsman and is now known as the 32nd Infantry Brigade, and continues to serve overseas when needed, including deployment in Iraq.

The other diorama illustrates the Battle of the Bulge in Europe. Small arms from both Allied and Axis forces are on display as well as uniforms of both men and women that served. An exhibit dedicated to the battleship U.S.S. Wisconsin is also present, which features a large highly detailed model of the ship. The Wisconsin was one of four Iowa Class battleships built during World War II, and served on active duty through the Persian Gulf War. It is now part of the Navy's Inactive Fleet and is docked in Hampton Roads, Virginia.

Post World War II

Uniforms, weapons, and other objects are on display for the Korean War, Vietnam, the Cold War, and the Persian Gulf. A replica of a UH-1 helicopter hangs down from the ceiling in the Vietnam War area. A piece of the Berlin Wall is displayed in the area dedicated to the end of the Cold War.

The museum has exhibits about some lesser known actions such as the Spanish American War and the deployment of Wisconsin National Guardsman to the Mexican Border in 1916-1917. In addition to the permanent displays, there is an area for temporary exhibits and for traveling exhibits from other museums.

Admission to the Wisconsin Veterans Museum is free. Donations are accepted. Check the museum's website (see sources below) for hours and directions.

Sources

Wisconsin Veterans Museum Website:

http://museum.dva.state.wi.us/

History of the 32^nd Division

http://www.32nd-division.org/history/32hist.htm

32^nd Infantry Brigade

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/32in-bde.htm

Hampton Roads Naval Museum Webpage for U.S.S. Wisconsin

http://www.hrnm.navy.mil/wisconsin.html

A Single Grand Victory: The First Campaign and Battle of Manassas by Ethan S. Rafuse. Wilmington, Delaware: Scholarly Resources, Inc. 2002

The Military History of Wisconsin in the War for the Union by E.B. Quiner. Reprint of 1866 edition by The St. Croix Valley Civil War Round Table, Hudson, Wisconsin, 2000.