MADISON — The Wisconsin State Capitol Square was formally added to the state’s Wonders of Wisconsin list on Thursday, becoming the program’s 12th site and drawing renewed attention to the building’s materials, history and everyday role in civic life.
Nationally notable stone, locally lived-in space
The Capitol itself contains more than 30 varieties of marble sourced from around the globe, and the granite used in parts of the interior originated in Wisconsin and is estimated to be as old as 1,900 million years. That deep geological history was a centerpiece of the announcement, offered alongside the building’s contemporary uses.
“It’s older than I am. It’s true,”
Gov. Tony Evers said during the ceremony, underscoring both the Capitol’s age and its standing as an “incredible building.” He also recounted a lighthearted incident about mistaking another Capitol for this one, illustrating how familiar the Madison landmark has become in the governor’s public life.
From farmers’ market to music and movies
Officials emphasized that the Capitol Square is more than an architectural showpiece. The grounds host a variety of public activities year-round, including the Dane County Farmers’ Market, summer concert series, graduations, weddings and occasional film shoots. Anne Sayers, secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, called the square a frequent backdrop for events that draw both residents and visitors.
- Dane County Farmers’ Market
- Summer concerts and performances
- Civic ceremonies, graduations and weddings
- Occasional filming locations
Those uses were highlighted by Travel Wisconsin as practical reasons sites are selected for the Wonders list: the designation is intended to promote visitation while supporting local economies.
Economic context
State tourism officials estimate the travel industry in Wisconsin is worth about $27 billion. Travel Wisconsin said last year was its largest on record, and initiatives such as the Wonders program are intended to sustain and grow that economic engine by drawing more visitors to both well-known and lesser-known destinations.
The program already included familiar natural attractions such as Devil’s Lake and the Apostle Islands; adding an urban civic square expands the list’s scope to include cultural and architectural landmarks that play active roles in community life.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Marble varieties | More than 30 |
| Wisconsin granite age | About 1,900 million years |
| Economic value of tourism | $27 billion (statewide) |
What the designation means locally
For Madison, the recognition carries both symbolic and practical implications. Symbolically, it confirms the Capitol Square’s place in the state’s identity. Practically, the label is designed to draw additional visitors and to guide marketing by the Department of Tourism and local organizations that program events on the square.
Tourism officials say the Wonders label is one piece of a broader strategy to distribute visitor traffic across communities and attractions. By spotlighting a civic plaza, the program signals that Wisconsin’s notable places include not just parks and natural areas but also downtown public spaces that host commerce, celebration and daily civic life.
Looking ahead
Officials from the state and city did not announce new funding or programming tied specifically to the designation at the ceremony. However, the recognition is likely to be incorporated into promotional materials by Visit Madison, Travel Wisconsin and other partners, and it may be used to draw more scheduled events and foot traffic to the square in coming seasons.
As the Capitol Square joins destinations such as Devil’s Lake and the Apostle Islands in the Wonders lineup, visitors and residents alike can expect heightened attention on the site’s combination of ancient stonework and ongoing, everyday public life.
— Peter Vandenberg, State Correspondent
