Naturally a city that is 160 years old will be steeped in history and Madison is no exception. From our grand old homes, worthy of their spots on the National Register of Historic Places to the iconic Wisconsin State Capitol building, take a look at just some of our gorgeous city’s historic sites.
Wisconsin State Capitol ― 2 E Main St.
It took 11 years to complete the construction of Wisconsin’s third Capitol building, located between Lake Monona and Lake Mendota. It stands 284 feet in height and offers astounding views of Madison. Take a tour Monday through Saturday and be sure to check out the elaborate rotunda and the French walnut furnishings. You’re also invited to take an online virtual tour at wisconsin.gov.
Governor’s Mansion – 99 Cambridge Road, Madison
Although the Governor’s Mansion was built in the 1920s, it didn’t become home to our staate’s chief executive until 1949. The classical revival architecture is what first catches the eye, but there is far more to the home. Tour the four acres of gorgeously landscaped grounds and explore the home’s 34 rooms. Tours are offered in spring and summer and during the holidays. Learn more about the tours here.
Taliesin Estate – 5607 County Highway C, Spring Green
Taliesin, Welsh for “shining “brow,” embodies architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s belief that homes aren’t meant to be built on the peak of a hill but just below, so it appears that they’ve risen naturally from the landscape.
Photo: By Vijay Kumar Koulampet (Own work) CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
At Taliesin Estate, with tours from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. (seven days a week) from May through October, you’ll roam the more than 700 acres of lush landscaping and Frank Lloyd Wright-designed structures. Learn more about Taliesin and the Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center here.
Mansion Hill Historic District
Get your Madison history fix in one place at Mansion Hill, one of the city’s most prestigious neighborhoods. Situated just north of Capitol Hill, homes here were built in the mid-19th century. You’ll view Victorian architecture and homes built in the Italianate and German Romanesque Revival styles.
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