Background

Fort Crawford Museum: A Journey Through Frontier History and Medical Innovation

Discover frontier life and medical history at Fort Crawford Museum, where the past comes alive in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.

4.6

Explore the rich history of Prairie du Chien and 19th-century military life at Fort Crawford Museum. Located on the site of the original Fort Crawford, the museum showcases the region's past, including exhibits on frontier medicine and the Black Hawk War.

A brief summary to Fort Crawford Museum

  • Monday 9 am-4 pm
  • Tuesday 9 am-4 pm
  • Wednesday 9 am-4 pm
  • Thursday 9 am-4 pm
  • Friday 9 am-4 pm
  • Saturday 9 am-4 pm
  • Sunday 9 am-4 pm

Local tips

  • Allow 1 to 1.5 hours to explore all three museum buildings.
  • Consider visiting between May and October when the museum is open daily.
  • Check out the museum's online store for books and merchandise related to local history.
widget icon

Getting There

  • Walking

    Fort Crawford Museum is located at 717 S Beaumont Rd in Prairie du Chien. From the intersection of S Main St and E Blackhawk Ave in downtown Prairie du Chien, head south on Beaumont Rd for about 0.7 miles. The museum will be on your left. There are no sidewalks for the entirety of the route, so use caution.

  • Driving

    The Fort Crawford Museum is located at 717 S Beaumont Rd. From the intersection of Wisconsin Highway 35 and US Highway 18, head south on Beaumont Rd for 0.8 miles. The museum will be on your left. Parking is available on-site.

Unlock the Best of Fort Crawford Museum

Buy tickets

    No tickets available

Book tours with entry

    No tours available

Book tours without entry

    No tours available

Discover more about Fort Crawford Museum

The Fort Crawford Museum in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, stands as a testament to the area's vibrant past. The museum occupies three buildings on the site of the 19th-century Fort Crawford, offering visitors a glimpse into military life, medical advancements, and the development of this important river town. Fort Crawford played a crucial role in the early 1800s, serving as a military outpost and a site for significant historical events. The first Fort Crawford was built in 1816, succeeding Fort Shelby from the War of 1812. It was strategically positioned to regulate the fur trade and maintain peace between settlers and Native American tribes. The Treaty of Prairie du Chien in 1825, which defined boundaries between various Indian nations, was negotiated here, marking a pivotal moment in regional history. Recurring floods led to the construction of a second fort in 1828. The museum's exhibits delve into various facets of Prairie du Chien's history. One highlight is the story of Dr. William Beaumont, an army surgeon who conducted groundbreaking research on human digestion at Fort Crawford in the 1830s. Visitors can explore exhibits detailing his experiments and contributions to medical science. The museum also features artifacts from archaeological excavations, displays on the Black Hawk War, and exhibits on the region's early industries, schools, and transportation. The Fort Crawford Museum is an official Great River Road Interpretive Center, linking it to a network of historical and cultural sites along the Mississippi River. It is operated by the Prairie du Chien Historical Society.

Popular Experiences near Fort Crawford Museum

Popular Hotels near Fort Crawford Museum

Select Currency