Soldiers Home Tours 

For 30 years, Old Main sat empty, but today, thanks to the work of many partners, it is an award-winning restoration that provides permanent supportive housing to veterans and their families at risk of homelessness. We worked hard to ensure Old Main and 5 other buildings on this National Historic Landmark campus were restored in service to veterans, and we’re thrilled to be able to offer walking tours of the Soldiers Home grounds, including a stop in the newly restored Old Main to see the incredible preservation work and take in the building’s history exhibit. 

Register below for one of our free regularly scheduled tours! Please note: advanced registration is required to attend any Soldiers Home Walking Tour. Registration will end at 10:00am the Friday before each tour. Future tours will continue through early Fall and will be added as dates are finalized. 

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 CBS 58's Frank Healy joined us for a tour. Watch the video to get a taste of what's included on the tour! 

Contact mpa@milwaukeepreservation.org to learn more about group tour opportunities!  

Tour Logistics
Each tour is 90 minutes long, approximately 1 mile, and will cover a variety of fascinating information including the history, architecture, and preservation stories of these historic buildings. Tours run rain or shine. No stairs are necessary, but there is some sloped and rough pavement. We are pleased to offer these tours for FREE, but you are welcome leave a donation during the registration process to ensure these tours remain accessible to all. All donations directly support MPA's work to ensure the remaining vacant buildings on the Soldiers Home campus are preserved as well as our broader advocacy to preserve Milwaukee's built and cultural heritage. 
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Established just after the Civil War, this 90-plus acre district rests on the grounds of the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center and represents Milwaukee’s role in furthering veteran care in America. One of only 43 National Historic Landmarks in Wisconsin, it is the most intact Soldiers Home in the country and the only one with the majority of its surrounding recuperative village remaining. This special campus is a true national treasure, and we can’t wait to share it with you!

Walking Tour App
Did you know we also have an app for a self-guided tour around the Soldiers Home?  Download the free Soldiers Home walking tour app for your smartphone! Just search "Milwaukee Soldiers Home" on the App Store or Google Play. 

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What People are Saying
"I really enjoyed the tour and glad it's available to the public!"
"Tour was great, guides had good information. I had always been curious about the Soldiers Home!"
"Overall an enjoyable experience. Tour guides were knowledgeable, friendly, and patient." 

Funded in part by a grant from Wisconsin Humanities, with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Wisconsin Humanities strengthens our democracy through educational and cultural programs that build connections and understanding among people of all backgrounds and beliefs throughout the state. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this project do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.