WELCOME
The Max Kade Institute for German-American Studies is an interdisciplinary unit in the College of Letters and Science at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. It is dedicated to researching, preserving, and sharing the stories of German-speaking immigrants and their descendants in the larger context of global migration past and present.
Because of restoration work in our building, the Institute and the Library are currently open BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Please contact a staff member by email, or leave a voicemail message at 608-262-7546.
Join us for our in-person and virtual events and explore our website. You can find recordings of presentations in the MKI Virtual Lecture Series, scanned images from our Library and Archives, MKI’s exhibit “Neighbors Past and Present: The Wisconsin German Experience,” our most recent virtual exhibit on “Anna Seifert: Letters in German from a Wisconsin Farm,” and much more.
Recent News
Friends of MKI Annual Meeting in Monroe, WI, May 6, 2023
Join us for the 2023 annual meeting of the Friends of the Max Kade Institute in Monroe, Green County, Wisconsin, located in the center of Swiss-German immigration and culture in the state. For a detailed program …
April 21, 2023
Support the restoration of materials in the MKI collection
We are delighted and grateful that members of our Friends organization are offering a $350 matching opportunity for the restoration of select books in the Max Kade Institute Library & Archives. With your donation we can match their offer for …
April 21, 2023
Watch Online: “‘Wo man singt:’ German American Singing Festivals, 1849–1914”
Heike Bungert’s presentation on “German American Singing Festivals, 1849–1914,” recorded April 5, 2023, can now be watched online. The video will be available until June 30, 2023. Click HERE for an abstract, further information, and a …
April 16, 2023
Watch Online: “Comanches, Captives, Germans: Transactions on the Texas Frontier, 1847”
Christopher J. Wickham’s and Daniel J. Gelo’s presentation on “Comanches, Captives, Germans: Transactions on the Texas Frontier, 1847,” recorded February 9, 2023, can now be watched online. Click HERE for an abstract, further information, and …
February 20, 2023
New: “Anna Seifert: Letters in German from a Wisconsin Farm”
Anna (Jagow) Seifert’s Letters to Her Son Lester “Smoky” Seifert: 1932–1942 The Max Kade Institute holds a collection of 164 letters and postcards written between 1932 and 1942 by Anna (nee Jagow) Seifert (1876–1958) to …
December 13, 2022- More news...
Upcoming Events
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Aug31
Exhibit: “Neighbors Past and Present: The Wisconsin German Experience,” Appleton, WI @ 10:00 am - @ 4:00 pm Hearthstone Historic House Museum, 625 W. Prospect Avenue, Appleton, WI 54911 https://www.hearthstonemuseum.org/home
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Sep14
Exhibit “Neighbors Past and Present: The Wisconsin German Experience,” Stratford, WI @ 10:30 am - @ 3:00 pm Stratford Museum, 213109 Legion Street Stratford, Wisconsin 54484 (Located in Klemme Park, Stratford, WI)
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Sep21
Lecture: “Who Are the Amish?” with Mark L. Louden, Waupaca, WI @ 6:00 pm Holly History and Genealogy Center, 321 S. Main St., Waupaca, WI 54981
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Sep28
Lecture: “The Wisconsin v. Yoder Supreme Court Case” with Mark L. Louden, Monticello, WI @ 7:00 pm 416 E. Lake Ave. (Zwingli Church), Monticello, WI 53570
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Oct28
Exhibit: “Neighbors Past and Present: The Wisconsin German Experience” in Waupaca, Wisconsin @ 9:00 am - @ 2:00 pm Waupaca Area Public Library, 107 S. Main Street, Waupaca, WI 54981