Celebrating 175 years of UW–Madison
We hope you enjoyed the UW 175th Anniversary Community Open House, April 5-7, 2024! Thank you for being a part of the three-day ultimate campus experience and for sharing in the celebration of our 175 years of education, innovation, and limitless impact!
See highlights and live coverage
Open house event archive
April 5, 2024, All day
Madison By Bike — Lakeshore Path Route
From our friends at Destination Madison, check out the stunning Howard Temin Lakeshore Path and dive into Madison’s natural history along the shoreline of Lake Mendota, ending at the iconic Memorial U...
April 5, 2024, All day
Physical History of the UW-Madison Campus
FP&M will share a poster with historical highlights including changes to the cultural landscape and iconic sites.
See 2 more event dates from this series
- April 6, 2024
- April 7, 2024
April 5, 2024, All day
Learn More about the new Computer, Data and Information Sciences (CDIS) building
UW-Madison is constructing a new space for Computer, Data and Information Sciences. Visit the Discovery Building to view a poster highlighting the new CDIS building.
April 5, 2024, All day
Learn More about the Irving and Dorothy Levy Hall, the new Letters & Science Building
UW-Madison is preparing to construct a new space for the College of Letters & Science, Irving and Dorthy Levy Hall. Visit Grainger to view a poster highlighting the new Levy Hall building. ...
See 2 more event dates from this series
- April 6, 2024
- April 7, 2024
April 5, 2024, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Visit the Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC)
This gem of a library serving adults is the statewide examination center for children’s and young adult literature, and a renowned resource for statistics about diversity in books for youth. Stop by f...
April 5, 2024, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Babcock Dairy Observation Deck Tours
Tour Babcock Dairy’s observation deck to learn about the making behind 175 S’more Years ice cream and Cranniverscherry cheese! Tours are first-come, first-serve for up to 30 people, but th...
See 2 more event dates from this series
- April 6, 2024
- April 7, 2024
April 5, 2024, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Most Agreeable & Rational Recreation: An Exhibit of Two Centuries of Educational Games
Long before gaming captured academic attention, there were plenty of educational games, exploiting technologies of print and cardboard rather than digital media, designed for use in families with a de...
April 5, 2024, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
UW-Madison Art Department Spring Student Exhibitions
The UW-Madison Art Department hosts a range of gallery exhibitions of student work throughout the academic year. These shows range from undergraduate, discipline-based, and graduate student collection...
See 2 more event dates from this series
- April 6, 2024
- April 7, 2024
April 5, 2024, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Community Open House Information – Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery
Drop by our information desk for Community Open House schedule information, wayfinding support, and any other questions about visiting campus. While there, make sure to pick up your 175th Anniversary ...
See 1 more event date from this series
- April 6, 2024
April 5, 2024, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Community Open House Information – Union South
Drop by our information desk for Community Open House schedule information, wayfinding support, and any other questions about visiting campus. While there, make sure to pick up your 175th Anniversary ...
See 2 more event dates from this series
- April 6, 2024
- April 7, 2024
April 5, 2024, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Community Open House Information – Memorial Union
Drop by our information desk for Community Open House schedule information, wayfinding support, and any other questions about visiting campus. While there, make sure to pick up your 175th Anniversary ...
See 2 more event dates from this series
- April 6, 2024
- April 7, 2024
April 5, 2024, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Crafting a Study Abroad Experience
Get crafty with us! Visit the Study Abroad Resource Center for DIY button making, coloring pages from around the world, and a slideshow from our 2023 Study Abroad Photo Contest. Study abroad staff wil...
April 5, 2024, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Hiram Smith Hall Open House
Come explore Hiram Smith Hall, one of the oldest buildings on campus, the first permanent dairy instruction building in the US, and home to the top science communication programs in the country. This ...
April 5, 2024, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Video Games with Field Day Lab
Join Field Day Lab for an open house with some digital games and virtual reality. Learn about how video games are bringing world class research from the university to the public and how they help rese...
April 5, 2024, 9:30-10 a.m.
Seed by Seed: The story and process behind the collaborative design of the UW Madison 175th Anniversary Banners
In this presentation, Associate Professor Marianne Fairbanks, doctoral candidate in Anthropology Molli Pauliot, and Professor of Digital Arts Stephen Hilyard will discuss the collaborative process be...
April 5, 2024, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Message From Our Planet
The Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation present a new media exhibition that brings together 20 software, video, and light-technology works from 19 international artists at the forefront of digital a...
See 2 more event dates from this series
- April 6, 2024
- April 7, 2024
April 5, 2024, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Look What Harvey Did: Harvey K. Littleton’s Legacy in the Simona and Jerome Chazen Collection of Studio Glass
Select works from this acclaimed studio glass collection celebrate the creative ingenuity that artist and educator Harvey K. Littleton inspired as a founder of the studio glass movement. See works by ...
See 2 more event dates from this series
- April 6, 2024
- April 7, 2024
April 5, 2024, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Embossing 175 Years of Excellence
People can use the custom 3D-printed embosser to print cards and bookmarks.
See 1 more event date from this series
- April 6, 2024
April 5, 2024, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Disability Cultural Center Open House
Come explore the new Disability Cultural Center on campus! Established in 2023, the DCC uplifts disability culture and disabled belonging at UW-Madison. The open house will include giveaways, activiti...
April 5, 2024, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Celebrate 175 Years of UW with Special Sales
Join us at the University Book Store on State Street to celebrate UW-Madison’s 175th Anniversary weekend! You can also participate in exciting contests, grab fabulous giveaways, and find unique Badger...
See 1 more event date from this series
- April 7, 2024
April 5, 2024, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Center for Design and Material Culture: Remaking the Renaissance
Remaking the Renaissance offers a fresh take on this iconic period of textile and fashion history, transforming the way we think about and see the cloth and clothing of the early modern period. Rema...
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- April 6, 2024
- April 7, 2024
April 5, 2024, 10-11 a.m.
First Nations Cultural Landscape Tour
The First Nations Cultural Landscape Tour is an award-winning, place-based, walking tour that welcomes guests to learn about the First Nations of Wisconsin and the 14,000+ years of human history in th...
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- April 5, 2024
April 5, 2024, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Tangible Secrets
In Tangible Secrets, Esther Cho investigates collected secrets as palpable material and explores the contemporary application of jiseung, a traditional Korean paper-weaving craft. Cho transforms mulbe...
See 2 more event dates from this series
- April 6, 2024
- April 7, 2024
April 5, 2024, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Inside Out
Heather Kohlmeier’s Inside Out explores the nature of comfort and impermanence within and around the body. Using materials such as delicate handmade paper, fine fiber, and skeletal-like wooden structu...
See 2 more event dates from this series
- April 6, 2024
- April 7, 2024
April 5, 2024, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
The Line Along the Knot
Veronica Y. Pham’s work focuses on traditional craft processes including, Vietnamese papermaking, Chinese knotting, and netting that reexamines a personal connection to these processes while ask...
See 2 more event dates from this series
- April 6, 2024
- April 7, 2024
April 5, 2024, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
College of Engineering Makerspace Demos and Activities
Join the Makerspace in the afternoon of Friday, April 5th for an insider’s peek of campus’s hub for rapid prototyping. Largely student run, the Makerspace, part of the Grainger Engineering Design + In...
April 5, 2024, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
UW 175th Anniversary Community Scavenger Hunt
Explore campus at your leisure while doing a self-guided scavenger hunt. Pick up your scavenger hunt map and hints page at the Union South Welcome Desk. Finish the scavenger hunt at the Memorial Union...
See 1 more event date from this series
- April 6, 2024
April 5, 2024, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
The Writing Center and WAC (Re)Imagined: An Open House
Visit the recently remodeled space that houses the Writing Center, Writing Across the Curriculum, and the Writing Fellows programs! Our main Writing Center space includes new dedicated stations for wr...
April 5, 2024, 12-4 p.m.
Public Open House at Washburn Observatory
Visit historic Washburn Observatory and its 1879 telescope. The observatory dome will be open to visitors regardless of sky conditions. This event is part of the 2024 Science Expeditions. Science Expe...
See 1 more event date from this series
- April 6, 2024
April 5, 2024, 1-3 p.m.
Social Sciences Open House
Join the Departments of Sociology and Anthropology, Social Science Research Services (SSRS), & High Road Strategy Center (COWS) for a tabling event to learn more about the research, education, an...
April 5, 2024, 1-3 p.m.
Discover the Data Science Institute
At this hands-on event, you can play with generative AI tools, check out visualizations of research data, learn about open-source software, and experience our interactive campus networking tools such ...
April 5, 2024, 1-4 p.m.
Badger Meet-Up
The Wisconsin Alumni Association will host a Badger Meet-Up on Friday, April 5 from 1-4 p.m. throughout One Alumni Place and Alumni Park. This event is being held in conjunction with the 22nd annual S...
April 5, 2024, 1-4 p.m.
Missing-In-Action Recovery Project Open House
Join the volunteers and researchers for the Missing-In-Action Project at UW–Madison in talking about recent findings and recoveries. Handle World War Two artifacts, explore Lego planes, and experience...
See 2 more event dates from this series
- April 6, 2024
- April 7, 2024
April 5, 2024, 3-4 p.m.
Tea with The CommNS
For the UW175 join The Center for Community and Nonprofit Studies (CommNS) for an afternoon tea. The CommNS is a center for community-engaged teaching, research, and outreach focused on advancing the ...
April 5, 2024, 4-6 p.m.
Celebrating Geography and Map-making in Historic Science Hall
Visit Science Hall (c. 1888) to meet staff and students from Geography, the State Cartographer’s Office, and the WI Geological and Natural History Survey. The History of Cartography Project will displ...
April 5, 2024, 5-10 p.m.
Just Bust! and Division of Diversity, Equity & Educational Achievement Information Table
Join us for Madison’s longest-running all-ages open mic, Just Bust! from 8-10 p.m. A tabling event will be available before open mic from 5-7 p.m. 5-7 p.m. – DDEEA TableThe Division of Div...
April 5, 2024, 5-7 p.m.
Master of Fine Arts Opening Reception
Join us April 5th from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. in the Ruth Davis Design Gallery to celebrate the Design Studies Master of Fine Arts exhibitions by Esther Cho, Heather Kohlmeier, and Veronica Y Pham. Exhibiti...
April 5, 2024, 6-8 p.m.
Falling Walls Lab Wisconsin
Named in honor of the fall of the Berlin Wall, Falling Walls Lab is an international competition where young innovators showcase their breakthroughs that have a positive impact on science and society....
April 5, 2024, 8-10 p.m.
Public Open Nights at Washburn Observatory
Visit historic Washburn Observatory and its 1879 telescope, which will be available for stargazing too if weather permits. The observatory dome will be open to visitors regardless of sky conditions. ...
See 1 more event date from this series
- April 6, 2024
April 5, 2024, 9-11 p.m.
Wisconsin Late Night Presents: Cupcake Wars!
Want to show off your cupcake decorating skills? Come compete against your peers in WLN’s Cupcake Wars (and enjoy eating your cupcakes after)! *Decorating contest begins at 9PM and judging begins at 1...
April 6, 2024, All day
Madison By Bike – Lakeshore Path Route
From our friends at Destination Madison, check out the stunning Howard Temin Lakeshore Path and dive into Madison’s natural history along the shoreline of Lake Mendota, ending at the iconic Memorial U...
See 1 more event date from this series
- April 7, 2024
April 6, 2024, All day
Learn More About the new Computer, Data and Information Sciences (CDIS) Building
UW-Madison is constructing a new space for Computer, Data and Information Sciences. Visit the Discovery Building to view a poster highlighting the new CDIS building.
See 1 more event date from this series
- April 7, 2024
April 6, 2024, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
AOSS Open House
Did you know that the UW-Madison is the birthplace of satellite meteorology? Learn more during the Atmospheric Oceanic and Space Sciences (AOSS) annual open house in conjunction with the campus-wide S...
April 6, 2024, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Law School Tour of Historical Pride Points & Traditions
UW Law is hosting a self-guided tour, during which you can learn more about the school’s history, traditions, and much more. The tour starts at the school’s statue of its mascot, the Gargoyle...
See 1 more event date from this series
- April 7, 2024
April 6, 2024, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
UW Geology Museum Open House
Explore the Geology Museum and take a peek into Wisconsin’s deep history! On your visit you can touch rocks from a time when there were volcanoes in Wisconsin; see corals, jellyfish and other se...
April 6, 2024, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection Community Day
Join us for the spring semester Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection Community Day! Once a semester, collection staff host a Community Day where we lead behind-the-scene tours and share information a...
April 6, 2024, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Wisconsin Energy Institute Open House
On Saturday, April 6th, engage with Wisconsin Energy Institute scientists while exploring fun, interactive demonstrations and learning about the work being done to further our transition to clean ener...
April 6, 2024, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Celebrate 175 Years of UW with Free Samples, Prizes & Sales
Join us at the University Book Store on State Street to celebrate UW-Madison’s 175th Anniversary weekend! Visitors can explore local treats and amazing discounts as we host various local businesses of...
April 6, 2024, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
PBS Wisconsin Open Studio Day
Open House calls for Open Studio Day! Located in Vilas Hall on UW-Madison’s campus, PBS Wisconsin boasts the largest operating studio in the Midwest — and we are so excited to welcome you in to exper...
April 6, 2024, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Meet the Dining Delivery Robots
Come and see the friendly, wheeled robots that deliver fresh food to students around the UW-Madison campus! At this interactive demo, you’ll get to see the inside of a robot, how the orders are fille...
April 6, 2024, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Bingo Walking Tours
Join us for a 45-minute drop-in campus walking tour featuring BINGO! Each guest will receive a bingo card at the start of the tour and mark campus landmarks along the way. Current student tour guides ...
April 6, 2024, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Science Expeditions Exploration Stations
Interactive exhibits for all ages that focus on current research taking place at UW-Madison.
See 1 more event date from this series
- April 7, 2024
April 6, 2024, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
WPR at the PBS Wisconsin Open House
Stop by the Wisconsin Public Radio table at the PBS Wisconsin Open House, pick up some WPR swag and say hello.
April 6, 2024, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Discovery Expo produced by the Morgridge Institute for Research
Dozens of hands-on science activities to explore for the whole family! This event is part of the 2024 Science Expeditions. Science Expeditions is an annual public event that invites the community to ...
April 6, 2024, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Discovery Building Open House
Join UW-Madison scientists and researchers with a dazzling variety of hands-on activities. Explore inside the brain using virtual reality, learn how to encode and decode secret messages, and delve int...
April 6, 2024, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Bakke Recreation and Wellbeing Center Open House; Registration Required
Join us for a variety of activities and opportunities to explore all that UW-Madison Recreation and Wellbeing’s newest facility has to offer! We’ll have free ice skating, self-guided tours, and a kid-...
April 6, 2024, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Children’s African Story Hour
Celebrate UW-Madison@175 with the African Studies Program, a unit of the International Division, with award-winning children’s literature that celebrates the diversity of cultures and languages across...
April 6, 2024, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
The Physics Fair
The Physics Fair is an annual Department of Physics open house that typically includes laboratory tours, hands-on demonstrations, activities for kids and families, and informal conversations with scie...
April 6, 2024, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
The Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute “Building Our Community Through Song” The Amazing Grace Chorus®
Inspiring Voices of Hope: Presentation and Performance by The Amazing Grace Chorus® Performances at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Interactive Art Program “Memories in the Making” Poster Session of W...
April 6, 2024, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Union South “Backyard” Party
Union South will be the place to spend your afternoon! Join us for games, family-friendly entertainment, and dining specials at Union South. Dining Specials (Available from 11 AM-3 PM) Sett Pub $5 ...
April 6, 2024, 12-3 p.m.
Metalsmithing Demonstration – Art Department
This event will take place in the UW-Madison Art Department’s Art Metals studio, where various techniques and aspects of metalsmithing will be demonstrated. Heating metal until it is malleable, solder...
April 6, 2024, 12-3 p.m.
Explore Your Path Through Business
Complete a fun and interactive scavenger hunt around the Wisconsin School of Business, exploring the school’s history, spaces, and offerings. During this family-friendly event, attendees will visit va...
April 6, 2024, 12-3 p.m.
Free Art-Making with Wheelhouse Studios
Join us for free Artmaking featuring everyone’s favorite Badger and beads. Watercolor Bucky and beaded bracelets. Children must be accompanied by an adult. While supplies last.
April 6, 2024, 12-4 p.m.
Plants Make Color!
Drop by to meet a few plants that are packed with color! See and smell a few dye vats and watch the process of dyeing with plants as it happens. Visit the Remaking the Renaissance Exhibition with cura...
April 6, 2024, 12:30-1:15 p.m.
The Joy of Science and the Arts: Celebrating 175 years of UW-Madison with Bassam Shakhashiri and Friends
Join Bassam Shakhashiri and friends for a live science show featuring color-changing reactions and guest star appearances! Science fun for the whole family! This event is part of the 2024 Science Exp...
April 6, 2024, 1-3 p.m.
Just Bust! Artistic Workshop
JUSTBUST! Workshop is free, open to the public artistic workshop that happened every First Saturday of the month. Interested in securing your seat for this event? Guarantee a spot with a “Free W...
April 6, 2024, 2-4 p.m.
Behind the Boxes: A Peek at the Artifacts Behind UW-Madison’s 175 Year History
The Center for Campus History and the University Archives and Records Management department are partnering to host an open house that will feature artifacts and other items from UW–Madison’s 175-year ...
April 6, 2024, 7-10 p.m.
Kara Jackson (175th Concert Series)
Kara Jackson is an American poet, singer, and songwriter. She was the third U.S. National Youth Poet Laureate from 2019 and 2020. Jackson also made her musical debut in 2019 with the release of her E...
April 7, 2024, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
UW–Madison in Motion
Buckle up for ‘UW–Madison in Motion’ – a family-friendly event for all ages! Join us as we showcase the unique wheels and rides on campus and from our community partners. Check out the UW ...
April 7, 2024, 12-4 p.m.
School of Pharmacy Showcase
Join us for an exciting day of exploration as the School of Pharmacy proudly participates in Science Expeditions during UW-Madison’s 175th Open House. On Sunday, April 7th, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, t...
April 7, 2024, 12-4 p.m.
UW Carbone Cancer Center’s 50th Anniversary – Open House
join us for science, celebration and FREE Babcock ice cream to honor the 50th anniversary of UW Carbone Cancer Center. Explore our inflatable colon, breast and lung exhibits. Participate in 20+ intera...
April 7, 2024, 12-4 p.m.
The Lakeshore Nature Preserve – A Science Expeditions Destination for Exploration
Canceled due to weather. Explore the Lakeshore Nature Preserve with interactive learning stations for all ages. UW students and other experts will be on hand to help you discover more about insects, b...
April 7, 2024, 1-3 p.m.
Wisconsin Athletics Family Fun Fair
On Sunday, April 7, the Badgers will host a Family Fun Fair at the Field House. The event, which will run from 1-3 p.m., will feature interactive displays including inflatables, trophy displays, and a...
April 7, 2024, 1:05-1:45 p.m.
Stellar Possibilities on the Horizon: Surgical Insights in Breast Cancer Treatment
Hear from surgical oncologist, Ashley Woodfin, MD about new, innovative surgical techniques and treatments for breast cancer patients. This presentation is held in conjunction with UW Carbone Cancer C...
April 7, 2024, 2-2:45 p.m.
Advances in Melanoma Care That Include Man and Woman’s Best Friend
Hear from medical oncologist, Mark Albertini, MD as he highlights the latest research and treatment benefitting melanoma patients, including canine friends. This presentation is held in conjunction wi...
April 7, 2024, 3-3:45 p.m.
Cancer Answers Panel
Ask your cancer questions to our live panel of cancer physicians. This presentation is held in conjunction with UW Carbone Cancer Center’s 50th Anniversary Open House. The event will be held at the H...
April 7, 2024, 4:45-6:15 p.m.
Richard Davis, Lynda Barry, and The Wisconsin Idea
Advanced tickets required. Wisconsin Film Festival in collaboration with the Division of the Arts celebrates the UW’s 175th Anniversary with this program of campus based documentaries featuring UW pr...