MADISON, Wis. — What now appears as a vast construction pit across from the state Capitol will soon become a major hub for celebrating Wisconsin’s past. Construction has officially begun on the Wisconsin History Center, a five-story, 100,000-square-foot museum slated to open in 2027—twice the size of the former Wisconsin Historical Museum that once occupied the site.

The ceremonial groundbreaking on Wednesday was steeped in symbolism and history. Leaders of the Ho-Chunk Nation gathered near the site, offering a traditional blessing and lighting tobacco to honor the space where generations of stories will soon be shared.

“Over the coming months, you’ll see the foundations poured, steel go up and exhibits begin to take shape,” said Julie Lussier, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Historical Foundation. “I hope you can picture the hundreds of thousands of visitors who will one day explore and be inspired inside those history center walls.”

Construction of the new center—located at the corner of State and North Carroll Streets—is supported by $112.3 million in state funds and an additional $48.2 million from private donors. The Wisconsin Historical Society aims to raise $66.5 million in total private donations to cover other needs like exhibits, programming, and initial operating costs. So far, they’ve raised $54.1 million, according to society officials.

The project’s largest private contribution comes from Pleasant Rowland, the creator of the American Girl doll brand, and her husband Jerry Frautschi. Their combined gift of $27.2 million marks a major milestone in the fundraising effort.

Political leaders emphasized the collaborative effort behind the center’s creation. State funding was recommended by governors from both political parties, most recently Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, and received legislative approval.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, a Republican from Rochester, praised the effort as a rare bipartisan achievement. “I know Madison’s pride is boundless, and I know that the vast majority of people who are here are longtime supporters of this community,” Vos said. “But I’m here making sure that we remember the rest of Wisconsin loves our history just as much. Every single part of Wisconsin is part of today.”

Once completed, the Wisconsin History Center is expected to host more than 200,000 visitors annually, including an estimated 60,000 schoolchildren. With its expanded capacity and modern design, the center will showcase artifacts spanning thousands of years.

Among the highlights will be two ancient dugout canoes unearthed from Lake Mendota. Archaeologists believe one was carved around 1,200 years ago by Indigenous people, while the other may date back as far as 3,000 years—testaments to the deep human history rooted in the region.

In addition to traditional museum exhibits, the center will include interactive displays, classrooms, and programming spaces to support educational initiatives and community engagement. Officials envision the space as both a museum and a living center for civic learning and statewide storytelling.

The Wisconsin Historical Society describes the project as its most ambitious in over a century—designed not only to preserve the state’s past but also to inspire future generations through immersive storytelling, historical artifacts, and inclusive narratives from every corner of Wisconsin.

Originally reported by Sarah Lehr in WPR.