Notice:
The Ingersoll Wonders of Physics Museum has NEW SATURDAY HOURS!!! We are open weekdays 8am-4:30pm and select Saturdays 10am-1pm. See our calendar for open dates.
The Leonard R. Ingersoll Wonders of Physics Museum was conceived by Professor Snow and Professor Ingersoll in 1917 and was fully established in 1918 when the construction of Sterling Hall was competed. The establishment of this museum, known at the time as the Historical museum, made it one of the first museums of its kind in the country that focused on physics. Following Professor Ingersoll’s death in 1958, the physics department renamed the museum to Leonard R. Ingersoll Physics Museum to honor his dedication to the success of the historical museum. In 2024, the museum name was updated to the L.R. Ingersoll Wonders of Physics Museum to recognize the full breadth of physics outreach at UW–Madison, including the Wonders of Physics annual and traveling shows. Keeping with tradition, many of our exhibits are designed by the faculty and staff, then constructed by the departmental shops, staff, and students to give the visitor a hands-on experience of the physics concept and to put physics in the fingertips of the young.
The Ingersoll Wonders of Physics Museum is free to public and runs on donations. Although no reservation is required to visit, we do schedule guided tours for groups. Our exhibits give our guests a hands-on experience of physical concepts ranging from mechanics to modern physics in a hands-on kid-friendly environment. Our 1500sf museum consists of over 65 exhibits with some rotating in and out each year.
Location
The museum is located at the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus on the second floor of Chamberlin Hall, at 1150 University Avenue. (The corner of University Ave. and Charter St.) Map
Car Parking
We recommend that you plan ahead for parking prior to your trip. There is no designated parking available while visiting the physics museum. Please see the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Visitor Parking webpage for on-campus parking options. Click here for campus visitor parking lot availability. Hourly parking is available in almost all parking lots, Lot 20 is the closest lot to Chamberlin Hall.
Bus Drop-off and Pick-up
Active bus drop-off and pick-up is available Charter Street side of the Chamberlin Hall. Chamberlin Hall is located the corner University Avenue and Charter. No parking is permitted along Charter Street at any time. This includes Buses too. Violators will be ticketed.
Bus Parking
Four bus parking spots are available in Lot 45, located at the southeast corner of Dayton Street and Mills Street. Three bus parking spots are available in front of the UW Stock Pavilion, located at 1675 Linden Drive. Buses can also wait for groups in Lot 130, located on University Bay Drive. Bus drivers must stay in the bus at this location.
Hours & Info
The museum is a free public venue and is open Monday-Friday from 8:30am to 4:00pm, select Saturdays please see calendar for availability. We are closed on Sundays, legal holidays or when the physics department itself is closed. Please check the tour calendar for other closure dates and open houses.
Contacts
Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
Cierra Atkinson (Outreach Specialist)
cierra.atkinson@wisc.edu
608-262-1137