The Memorial Union is located on the shore of

Lake Mendota Lake Mendota is a freshwater eutrophic lake that is the northernmost and largest of the four lakes in Madison, Wisconsin. The lake borders Madison on the north, east, and south, Middleton on the west, Shorewood Hills on the southwest, Maple Bl ...

on the campus of the

University of Wisconsin–Madison A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United Stat ...

Madison, Wisconsin Madison is the county seat of Dane County and the capital city of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census the population was 269,840, making it the second-largest city in Wisconsin by population, after Milwaukee, and the 80th-lar ...

. On the lakeshore to the north of the building is the Terrace, a popular outdoor space overlooking the lake. It has gained a reputation as one of the most beautiful student centers on a university campus.

History

The exterior of the main wing was designed by University Architect

Arthur Peabody Arthur Peabody (November 16, 1858 – September 6, 1942) was the campus architect for the University of Wisconsin from 1905 to 1915 and the state architect of Wisconsin from 1915 to 1938. Peabody was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He graduated fr ...

. Opened October 5, 1928, the facility is operated by the

Wisconsin Union The Wisconsin Union is a membership organization at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. It operates the Memorial Union, Union South, the Morgridge Center for Public Service, the Hoofer Equestrian Center, Bernie's Place Child Care Center, and a ...

, a membership organization. Porter Butts, the first director, called it a "college union" because it combines the characteristics of a student union ("student activity center" in other countries) and a student government ("students' union" in other countries) in an organization that brings together students, faculty, and members of the surrounding community. The building was added to the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic ...

on May 19, 2015.

Facility

Outside the main building is the Memorial Union Terrace, a stone outdoor

dining A restaurant is a business that prepares and serves food and drinks to customers. Meals are generally served and eaten on the premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services. Restaurants vary greatly in appearanc ...

and recreation area on the shore of

. The Terrace was designed by Peabody's daughter, Charlotte. It is a popular spot among students and local residents for socializing because of the backdrop of the lake, with its view of sailboats, and the sound of live music, usually free to the public in the evening. The Wisconsin Union Directorate funds music on the Terrace four nights a week in the summer, and on the Terrace or in der Rathskeller on weekends during the school year (depending on weather). Within the Union are rooms and artworks reflecting the local heritage. The largest is ''Der

Rathskeller Ratskeller (German: "council's cellar", pl. ''Ratskeller'', historically ''Rathskeller'') is a name in German-speaking countries for a bar or restaurant located in the basement of a city hall (''Rathaus'') or nearby. Many taverns, nightclubs, ba ...

'', a

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) ** Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ge ...

-style beerhall with elaborate murals, where political debates and card or

board games Board games are tabletop games that typically use . These pieces are moved or placed on a pre-marked board (playing surface) and often include elements of table, card, role-playing, and miniatures games as well. Many board games feature a co ...

are common among students over a

beer Beer is one of the oldest and the most widely consumed type of alcoholic drink in the world, and the third most popular drink overall after water and tea. It is produced by the brewing and fermentation of starches, mainly derived from ce ...

. The Rathskeller directly connects the ground floor to the Terrace outside. Also on the ground floor are the

Paul Bunyan Paul Bunyan is a giant lumberjack and folk hero in American and Canadian folklore. His exploits revolve around the tall tales of his superhuman labors, and he is customarily accompanied by Babe the Blue Ox. The character originated in the o ...

Room and cafeterias. Upstairs are the Beefeater Room and the Old Madison Room. The west wing of the Union houses the Wisconsin Union Theater. The Daily Scoop sells Babcock ice cream made at the university. Peet's Coffee Shop is a privately managed operation that serves coffee and pastries. The Campus and Community Information desk acts as an information and referral resource. There is a small retail shop offers newspapers, apparel, and snacks. The Memorial Union Box Office offers ticketing for campus events as well as bus tickets for the Van Galder Bus Line. Memorial Union houses several restaurants and cafeterias. A catering department serves conferences, events for the university, and weddings of Union members, and the annual Tudor Dinners. The Memorial Union underwent extensive renovation starting in 2012. These renovations included a redesign of the Terrace, a renovation of the Wisconsin Union Theater, and the addition of new restaurants and study spaces. In 2017, the 1.3-acre Alumni Park opened. The park is an art gallery and museum and displaying the accomplishments of Badgers throughout the 17 decades of the university. The Hoofers, an activity group headquartered in the Union, offer activities on Lake Mendota and other outdoor sites. Memorial-Union-Terrace-in-Madison -WI

Image gallery

File:Lake Mendota Madison, WI.jpg, Hoofer Badger Sloops on Lake Mendota behind Memorial Union File:The Red Gym from the Terrace.jpg, The Memorial Union Terrace during the

fall Autumn, also known as fall in American English and Canadian English, is one of the four temperate seasons on Earth. Outside the tropics, autumn marks the transition from summer to winter, in September (Northern Hemisphere) or March ( Southe ...

of 2008 File:WUT highres.jpg, The Wisconsin Union Theater in Streamline Moderne style File:University of Wisconsin Memorial Union, June 1993.jpg, Memorial Union main front entrance, 1993 File:Summer solstice sunset - Madison WI - 06-21-2015 778 (19075952195).jpg, Summer solstice sunset from the Terrace, 2015

References

External links

Wisconsin Union website

interviews with Wisconsin Union Director Porter F. Butts
Memorial Union
in ''The Buildings of the University of Wisconsin'' * * {{University of Wisconsin–Madison University of Wisconsin–Madison Buildings and structures in Madison, Wisconsin Student activity centers in the United States National Register of Historic Places in Dane County, Wisconsin National Register of Historic Places in Madison, Wisconsin