L. R. Ingersoll Physics Museum

The L. R. Ingersoll Physics Museum is housed on the second floor of Chamberlin Hall and features over 70 interactive exhibits covering mechanics, electricity, magnetism, light, and modern physics phenomena. The displays allow visitors to understand physical concepts by hands-on experimentation.

The museum was founded in 1918 by Professor Snow and Leonard Rose Ingersoll as the first institution in the United States dedicated to physics education. This establishment marked the beginning of a pioneering educational facility at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Visitors can directly interact with concepts like magnetism, light, and waves rather than simply reading or observing them. The space is designed so that people of all ages can experiment with how physical forces work in everyday life.

Admission is free and the museum welcomes visitors Monday through Friday between 8 AM and 4 PM. The facility is located on the university campus and is easy to reach on foot from downtown.

The museum houses specialized exhibits including a Gravity Pit, Foucault Pendulum, and Plasma Tube that allow visitors to directly experience physical phenomena. These installations enable direct interaction with forces that are normally difficult to observe.

Location: Madison

Operator: University of Wisconsin- Madison

Address: 1150 University Ave, Madison, WI 53706, USA

Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 08:00-16:00; Holidays off; SH off

Phone: +16082623898

Website: https://physics.wisc.edu/ingersollmuseum

GPS coordinates: 43.07365,-89.40542

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:45