Free printable vintage Wisconsin state capitol postcards highlight the architectural focal point of Madison, Wisconsin and one of the grandest state capitol buildings in the Midwest.
I’m sure it’s not a surprise that my vintage postcard collecting hobby actually started with Wisconsin locations. As such, I have more Wisconsin postcards than any other location, and it will remain a primary focus of the collections I share on the blog. I already have Wisconsin Dells, Holy Hill, and Racine collections available. I’ll be releasing many more sets over the coming months, including more non-capitol buildings in Madison. If there’s anything you’re interested in seeing here, please let me know.
I’m crazy about the aesthetic of vintage postcards from this era and love sharing so many of them with my readers. The vintage Madison Wisconsin state capitol postcard collection features 23 postcards, covering extensive interior and exterior views of this stunning building and highlighting many of its prominent features.
The present Wisconsin state capitol, which is the building featured in this collection of postcards, is the fifth Wisconsin state capitol building since the first territorial legislature in 1836 and the third building since Wisconsin became a state in 1848. It is the third state capitol in Madison. Designed by New York architectural firm George B. Post & Sons, construction on the capitol began in late 1906 and was finished in 1917. It cost $7.25 million, with $3 million going toward the dome.
The Wisconsin state capitol is the tallest building in Madison. It will remain as such because a 1990 state law prohibits new construction within one mile of the capitol from being taller than the columns surrounding and supporting the dome, which stand 187 feet tall. The state capitol houses both chambers of the Wisconsin legislature, the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and the Governor’s Office.
The capitol stands 284 feet, 5 inches tall, measuring from the ground floor to the top of the Wisconsin statue on the dome. When the capitol was constructed, the dome was the second-highest in the world. The dome diameter measures 107 feet, with the statue standing 15 and a half feet tall. It weighs three tons. New York native Daniel Chester French sculpted the Wisconsin statue out of hallow bronze covered with gold leaf in 1920. The left hand of the statue holds a globe surmounted by an eagle. The right hand is outstretched to symbolize Wisconsin’s state motto, “Forward.” Wisconsin is wearing a helmet with a badger, the state animal, on top.
The capitol was constructed from 43 types of stone from six countries and eight states. The building received National Historic Landmark distinction in 2001. [Source]
About the free printable vintage Madison Wisconsin state capitol postcards
You may download and print the postcards as many times as you wish for personal use, which includes classroom use. You may use the postcards for limited runs (5,000 items or less) of handmade physical items to sell (i.e., pillows, magnets). You are not authorized to sell the postcard images themselves as prints, only items you create using the images. Handmade physical items DOES NOT include made to order sites, such as Society6 and CafePress.
You may also use the postcards for limited runs (5,000 items or less) of handmade digital items. You are not allowed to sell the download files, either as individual images or as part of larger collections. Your sale items must consist of original digital content using the images.
Finally, please don’t distribute the download files in this post. If family, friends, or co-workers would like their own Wisconsin state capitol postcards, please provide them with a link to this post, so they can download their own tiles. Thank you!
I have a comprehensive guide explaining the various download sizes I offer for my vintage postcards. It will help you select the best sizes for framing and DIY purposes. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask!
The low-resolution preview images in this post are solely intended for preview purposes. They are fine for sharing on social media. They are not suitable for printing and may not necessarily be sized for the prints you want. Please use the download links to guarantee you’re getting high-resolution images in your desired size(s).
I’ve split up the postcards into exterior and interior views of the Wisconsin state capitol. Enjoy!
Exterior Views
Capitol Dome at Night
A classic view of the Wisconsin state capitol dome illuminated at night.
Original size | 4×6 | 8×10 – slight border | 8×10 – large border
Capitol Dome at Night 2
Another view of the Wisconsin state capitol dome at night.
Original size | 4×6 | 8×10 – slight border | 8×10 – large border
Capitol Terrace
The lovely outdoor terrace at the Wisconsin state capitol.
Original size | 4×6 | 8×10 – slight border | 8×10 – large border
Dome and the South Entrance to the State Capitol
A straight-on view of the south entrance to the Wisconsin state capitol. The postcard includes the following caption in the upper lefthand corner: “The second highest dome in the world: height 300 feet; diameter 107 feet; height of statue 15 1/2 feet; cost of Dome, about $3,000,000.”
Original size | 4×6 | 8×10 – slight border | 8×10 – large border
From the Capitol Entrance looking Southeast with Lake Monona in the Distance
A view standing on the capitol entrance steps facing southeast. Lake Monona is visible at the end of the street.
Original size | 4×6 | 8×10 – slight border | 8×10 – large border
Lake Monona and the State Capitol
One of the best views in the city of Madison with a beautiful vantage point of the capitol and surrounding downtown buildings on the other side of Lake Monona.
Original size | 4×6 | 8×10 – slight border | 8×10 – large border
Madison and the Wisconsin State Capitol at Night
A stunning view of the Wisconsin state capitol and city of Madison at night with reflection of the buildings in the water.
Original size | 4×6 | 8×10 – slight border | 8×10 – large border
Monona Avenue
A view of the Wisconsin state capitol from formerly Monona Avenue, now Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., on the southeast side of the capitol.
Original size | 4×6 | 8×10 – slight border | 8×10 – large border
Southeast Base
The southeast base of the Wisconsin state capitol houses one of the capitol’s four groupings of statues. Each grouping contains three statues. They were sculpted by Karl Bitter, a prominent American sculpture, between 1911 and 1915 from Bethel White Germont granite. All of the statues are visible from the sidewalks surrounding the grounds. The outdoor observation deck of the capitol offers closer views.
The sculptures symbolize fundamental characteristics of the state and its people. The pictured statues here on the southeast base overlooking Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard represent faith. According to a state Capitol guidebook, Bitter wanted to emphasize “the importance of religion as a force in developing good citizenship.”
The northwest group facing Wisconsin Avenue represents prosperity and abundance with two of the female statues holding a cornucopia, a symbol of plenty. The southwest group at West Washington Avenue represents strength, with the central figure holding a sword and shield. The northeast group facing East Washington Avenue represents knowledge, with two of the figures looking over scrolls and books. [Source]
Original size | 4×6 | 8×10 – slight border | 8×10 – large border
South Pediment
A detailed view of the south pediment of the Wisconsin state capitol, which features figures representing wisdom, equity, rectitude, executive powder, meditation, prudence, calmness and caution of diplomacy, the earnestness of eloquence, and the clear vision of the progress. [Source]
Original size | 4×6 | 8×10 – slight border | 8×10 – large border
Wisconsin State Capitol, Exterior View 1
A classic view of the exterior of the Wisconsin state capitol.
Original size | 4×6 | 8×10 – slight border | 8×10 – large border
Wisconsin State Capitol, Exterior View 2
Another classic perspective of the exterior of the Wisconsin state capitol with a gorgeous cloudy sky.
Original size | 4×6 | 8×10 – slight border | 8×10 – large border
Wisconsin State Capitol, Exterior View 3
A beautiful tree-framed, portrait-orientation view of the Wisconsin state capitol.
Original size | 4×6 | 8×10 – slight border | 8×10 – large border
Wisconsin State Capitol, Exterior View With Caption
A straight-on view of the exterior of the Wisconsin state capitol with the following caption: “Dome of the new capitol is the second highest in the world: height 300 feet; diameter 107 feet; height of statue 15 1/2 feet; cost of Dome $3,000,000; cost of entire building $7,000,000.”
Original size | 4×6 | 8×10 – slight border | 8×10 – large border
Wisconsin State Capitol, as Seen From Airplane
An aerial view of the Wisconsin state capitol and surrounding city of Madison.
Original size | 4×6 | 8×10 – slight border | 8×10 – large border
Wisconsin State Capitol From Lincoln Terrace
A view of the Wisconsin State Capitol from the Lincoln Terrace. Also known as the Bascom Hall Terrace, it’s called the Lincoln Terrace because it’s home to an iconic Lincoln statue. Created by sculptor Adolf Weinman of Hodgenville, Kentucky (Lincoln’s birthplace), it was unveiled in 1909. The statue was a gift to the University of Wisconsin from Thomas Brittingham. [Source]
Original size | 4×6 | 8×10 – slight border | 8×10 – large border
Wisconsin State Capitol From State Street
A straight-on view of the Wisconsin state capitol as seen from State Street. This entrance features a large set of stairs leading up to the capitol from the street.
Original size | 4×6 | 8×10 – slight border | 8×10 – large border
Wisconsin State Capitol From West Washington Avenue
Another straight-on view of the Wisconsin state capitol, this time as seen from West Washington Avenue.
Original size | 4×6 | 8×10 – slight border | 8×10 – large border
Interior Views
East Gallery
An interior view of the East Gallery in the Wisconsin state capitol.
Original size | 4×6 | 8×10 – slight border | 8×10 – large border
Governor’s Reception Room
The governor’s reception room, more commonly referred to today as the governor’s conference room, is located on the first floor in the south wing of the Wisconsin state capitol. It is one of the most ornate rooms in the capitol, featuring lots of gold and porphyry, a hard igneous rock containing crystals, often of feldspar, in a fine-grain, typically reddish ground mass.
Original size | 4×6 | 8×10 – slight border | 8×10 – large border
Rotunda
A view from the second floor of the Wisconsin state capitol looking down into the rotunda. Wisconsin.gov has a detailed page about the capitol building’s rotunda.
Original size | 4×6 | 8×10 – slight border | 8×10 – large border
Rotunda and West Gallery
A view from the second floor of the Wisconsin state capitol showing part of the rotunda and the West Gallery.
Original size | 4×6 | 8×10 – slight border | 8×10 – large border
Senate Chamber
A view of the senate chamber in the Wisconsin state capitol, highlighting “The marriage of the Atlantic and the Pacific” artwork, which symbolizes the Panama Canal opening. In the center, America is enthroned and blesses the union of the two oceans. The Atlantic, portrayed as Neptune, places a ring on the finger of a goddess representing the Pacific. To the right, Peace welcomes France and Great Britain. To the left, Commerce beckons to Japan, China, and the islands of the sea, while a water nymph of the local stream plays beside the barge. [Info taken from the back of the postcard.]
Original size | 4×6 | 8×10 – slight border | 8×10 – large border
I have a comprehensive guide explaining the various download sizes I offer for my vintage postcards. It will help you select the best sizes for framing and DIY purposes. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask!
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