Allen Centennial Gardens

Allen Centennial Gardens is a public park at the University of Wisconsin-Madison featuring themed garden sections with diverse plant collections. Across two acres, walking paths connect seasonal displays and a historic house built in 1896 with Queen Anne architectural details.

The property was created after the destruction of teaching gardens in 1979 as a new space to celebrate the agricultural college's hundredth anniversary. The listed house was built in 1896 and served as the residence for four heads of the agricultural sciences department.

The space serves students as a learning environment where they gain hands-on knowledge about plants and sustainable practices. Visitors can observe how the gardens function as an active teaching and research center for the university community.

The grounds are free and open year-round with clearly marked walking paths throughout. Plan your visit with comfortable walking shoes as the terrain can become muddy during wet weather.

Few visitors realize these gardens were born from disaster: they replaced destroyed teaching spaces from the 1970s. This comeback story shows how the campus reclaimed lost green space after a major loss.

Location: Madison

Architects: Conover & Porter

Architectural style: Queen Anne style architecture

Website: http://allencentennialgardens.org

GPS coordinates: 43.07690,-89.41280

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:04