Madison in Dane County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

A Grand Experiment

Bascom Hill Historic District

Photographed by William J. Toman, June 17, 2010

1. A Grand Experiment Marker

Inscription. Fed up with the formalities of traditional education, Professor Alexander Meikeljohn decided in 1927 to try something new, converting a university residence hall into an "Experimental College." Students took no tests and received no grades, but instead participated in discussions, plays, performances and other activities that integrated learning into their daily lives. Although the college lasted only five years, it created a powerful legacy. Decades later, when universities across the nation wanted to offer students more than standard textbook instruction, they used the "Ex College" as a model to design residential learning communities.

Erected 2001 by UW Foundation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education. In addition, it is included in the University of Wisconsin series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.

Location. 43° 4.469′ N, 89° 24.05′ W. Marker is in Madison, Wisconsin, in Dane County. It is at the intersection of North Park Street and State Street Mall, on the left when traveling north on North Park Street. The marker is near Music Hall at the bottom of Bascom Hill on the University of Wisconsin campus. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 925 Bascom Mall, Madison WI 53706, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Wisconsin. It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Securing the Future (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); State Historical Society (about 400 feet away); Leaders in Science (about 400 feet away); Science Hall (about 500 feet away); University Presbyterian Church and Student Center (about 500 feet away); A Stage for All (about 600 feet away); 9XM - WHA (about 600 feet away); The American Character (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.

Also see . . . Alexander Meiklejohn Biography. (Submitted on June 26, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)

Photographed by William J. Toman, June 17, 2010

2. Bascom Hill

The heart of the University of Wisconsin, with Bascom Hall at the top.

View from Bascom Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William J. Toman, June 17, 2010

3. View from Bascom Hall

The State Capitol as seen from the top of Bascom Hill. State Street links state government and the state university.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 26, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,290 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 18, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.