The Wisconsin Veterans Museum occupies a prominent corner of Capitol Square and is one of the better state military history museums in the Midwest — well curated, thoughtfully displayed, and free. The collection spans Wisconsin's involvement in military conflicts from the Civil War through recent deployments, with particular depth on the First and Second World Wars.
The main gallery contains a full-size reproduction of a World War I trench, a Vietnam-era helicopter, and an extensive collection of uniforms, weapons, medals, and personal effects. The oral history collection is a particular strength — recordings and transcripts from Wisconsin veterans across multiple conflicts, many of whom would not otherwise have had their stories preserved.
The museum is at 30 West Mifflin Street, directly across from the Capitol. Open Tuesday through Saturday; free admission.