Changes to walking tour benefits in 2025
The Madison Trust Board of Trustees and the Tour Committee, after in depth discussions, have approved a small change to our Historic Architecture Walking Tour ticket policy for members.
Starting summer 2025, members will pay a discounted amount of $5.00 to reserve their spot on a tour. This continues to be a significant discount from the non-member price of $15.00.
To all our tour guests, we are immensely grateful for your passion for preserving and celebrating our city's heritage and your support of our organization. Our tours are an important fundraiser each year and without you, we could not fulfill our mission. Please know that all the revenue from tour tickets goes right back into the organization!
WHY ARE TOUR PRICES CHANGING FOR MEMBERS?
We understand that change can prompt questions. Here are the reasons the change is being made:
To maintain the applications needed to run the program
There are many applications that run behind the scenes to make these special tours possible. For example, the convenience of our online ticketing system has been paramount, especially in the wake of the pandemic as we endeavored to reduce contact between docents and tour-goers. While we remain committed to offering a streamlined experience, the associated costs to run the tours have risen over time. Your continued support allows us to maintain this seamless process while adapting to rising costs.
To ensure everyone gets to enjoy the tours
Our tours consistently draw hundreds of enthusiastic attendees. We have sometimes found ourselves in a difficult situation in which on the day of the tour, a number of members signed up to participate cancel at the last minute, too late for those on a waiting list to join and often delaying the start of a tour. A minimal fee will ensure a stronger attendance commitment when signing up and ensure all guests have a positive experience on the tours.
What’s new for member tour benefits?
The walking tours have grown in popularity with almost all of our tours sold out at the end of July in 2024. As a new benefit to members, we are opening up tickets to members only on May 1, 2025. You will have access to get tickets to any of the tours through the summer before they open to the public, which will happen on May 15. This is a terrific benefit as we will continue to have a limited number of guests on each tour to ensure an enjoyable experience for all.
WHAT’S STAYING THE SAME?
Rest assured, amidst this change, many aspects of the membership experience will remain the same. Membership with the Madison Trust continues to unlock a trove of exclusive privileges, including:
Dedication to advocacy
Our advocacy efforts for historic preservation stand firm, guided by our shared commitment to safeguarding Madison's cultural legacy.
Special tours and programs
Gain discounted admission to our annual specialty tour, various programs and seminars, as well as events such as the annual Historic Preservation Awards each spring.
Member-only programs
Members are invited to our FREE members-only programs and tours each year. Catch up with other members, longstanding and new, while enjoying a VIP tour or exceptional venue with delicious hors d’oeuvres.
Discounts on Milwaukee walking tours
Buy a ticket for a regular Historic Milwaukee, Inc. walking tour using the Madison Trust discount code and your ticket will cost just $7.50! Email our office for the discount code: info@madisonpreservation.org.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation for your support. Together, we will continue to celebrate and preserve Madison's cultural legacy for generations to come.
Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. Your feedback and input are invaluable! Contact us at (608) 441-8864 or by email at info@madisonpreservation.org.