Tours to give behind-the-scenes glimpses
Visitors can tour the university by foot, by bus or by World War II-vintage amphibious transport vehicle as the campus opens its doors to the community Sunday, Aug. 22.
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See also: Sesquicentennial Celebration parking tips |
A half-dozen types of guided tours will be held during UW–Madison’s Sesquicentennial Summer Celebration.
Visitors will be able to glimpse many famous and obscure corners of campus during the guided tours and other activities. Here’s a rundown of events, all scheduled Sunday, Aug. 22:
- Arboretum Bus Tours: Learn about a pioneering experiment in putting nature back together – ecological restoration – on a leisurely bus cruise through the university’s Arboretum. Stops along the way visit natural areas, horticultural plantings and the McKay Visitors Center. Tours last about two hours. Departing from the Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St. 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
- Bascom Hill Historic District Walking Tour: Take a trip back in time as you visit the first building on the UW campus, learn about the fire that destroyed the Bascom Hall dome, and discover where the father of the national park system had his first botany lesson. Guided tour lasts about 45 minutes. Departing from the Red Gym, 716 Langdon St. 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m.
- Campus Bus Tours: Climb aboard for an informative and entertaining 45-minute bus tour and discover the natural and architectural beauty of the 900-acre University of Wisconsin–Madison campus without having to take a step. A student guide will point out past and present highlights, from North Hall, the first building on campus, to the Kohl Center, one of the newest and most impressive buildings. Departing from University Bay Drive (behind the UW Hospital), 11 a.m.; departing from the Stock Pavilion, 1675 Linden Drive, 1 p.m.; departing from the Red Gym, 716 Langdon St., 3 p.m.
- Campus Tree Walk: Take a walk around campus and learn about some of the more significant trees. Wrap your arms around the oldest campus tree (300 years old), and hear the story of the Bascom elms. Free tree walk brochure. Guided tour lasts about an hour. Departing from the Campus Assistance and Visitor Center at the Red Gym, 716 Langdon St., 1:30 p.m.
- Kohl Center: Take a building tour of the Kohl Center, the home of UW men’s and women’s basketball, UW hockey and WIAA state tournaments, concerts and family shows, and university commencement ceremonies. The Kohl Center can change over from a basketball arena to a hockey rink in just four hours. Gate A, 601 W. Dayton St., Noon-5 p.m.
- Memorial Union: Get a behind-the-scenes 45-minute tour of the Memorial Union, including a look at the Union Theater. Departing from the 1st floor information desk at Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
- Nature Walk of Picnic Point: Volunteers will lead walks on Picnic Point, reflecting on the ecology and cultural history of this familiar landscape. Departing from the circle parking lot next to the 1918 Marsh. 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.
- Original Wisconsin Ducks: Ride a World War II-vintage amphibious transport vehicle to view one of the nation’s most beautiful campuses from a new perspective – Lake Mendota. Learn about the study of limnology and campus natural areas as you cruise along the shoreline, then travel by land past such landmarks as Allen Centennial Gardens, Agriculture Hall and the Kohl Center. Tours last about 30 minutes. Departing from the Below Alumni House, 650 North Lake St., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Cost/$6 for adults, $4 for children, with proceeds going to the Sesquicentennial Undergraduate Scholarship Fund.
- Wisconsin State Herbarium: Take an informal tour of the 150-year-old Wisconsin State Herbarium, a museum collection of 1,005,000 dried, labeled plants used for scientific research, teaching and public service. Main lobby of Birge Hall, entrance to the Herbarium, Room 160, 430 Lincoln Drive, 1-5 p.m.