The Wisconsin Historical Society has announced that a $12 million donation from philanthropist Jerry Frautschi has completed the private fundraising campaign for the new Wisconsin History Center, pushing the project past its $66.5 million goal.
Frautschi, a longtime Madison benefactor, has now contributed a total of $37.1 million to the campaign, making him the lead private donor for the ambitious project.
His latest gift ensures the $160.5 million center, slated to open in late 2027 on Madison’s Capitol Square, will move forward as planned.
The five-story, 100,000-square-foot center will feature permanent and temporary galleries, interactive exhibits, and advanced technology to connect communities statewide.
The facility is expected to draw more than 200,000 visitors annually and serve as a hub for historical education and engagement.
Frautschi’s philanthropy, which previously helped establish the Overture Center for the Arts, has inspired more than 500 individuals, businesses, and foundations to support the History Center campaign.
The project is being hailed as a model of public-private partnership, with $112.3 million in state funding supplementing private donations.
Construction is already underway, with the Wisconsin Historical Society operating a temporary History Maker Space in downtown Madison and hosting a statewide History Makers Tour to preview the center’s offerings.
The Wisconsin History Center is poised to become a landmark destination, preserving and sharing the state’s rich heritage for generations to come.
