Wade House Timeless Tales Speaker Series

Settle into the Walnut Room, located in Wade House’s Visitor Center on Highway 23, and prepare to learn, discuss and engage with captivating stories from celebrated authors and historians alike. From a deep-dive on the infamous wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald to a discussion on notable Wisconsin heroes who have shaped the state, the country and even the world, our history—and the speakers who share it—have countless exciting facts, secrets and stories to tell.

Every Timeless Tales Talk at Wade House includes a special presentation, a live question-and-answer segment and, often, an opportunity to purchase a book signed by the presenting author or authors. Learn more about each speaker and presentation dates below.

Saturday, Mar 14, 2026 | Mary Bergin presents Small-Town Wisconsin: Fun, Surprising and Exceptional Road Trips

They say good things come in small packages—world-traveler and author Mary Bergin proves this on every page of Small-Town Wisconsin, revealing dozens of wondrous little destinations bound to delight travelers of all stripes who crave safe, fun, surprising and under-the-radar escapes from big-city bustle. An eclectic mix of communities makes the cut in this selective guide to rural treasures—many of which are lesser-known or unheard of but offer natural beauty, unique spirit and enduring character in spades. Each go-to spot on Bergin’s list is a town of no more than 5,000—and often less than 1,000—people.

Mary Bergin has traveled the world but is most likely to pay attention to her home turf, the often-overlooked Midwest U.S. The lifelong journalist lives in Madison, and her awards include five Lowell Thomas honors, the highest recognition for North American travel journalists. From 2002 to 2019, Mary produced a weekly and syndicated newspaper column about close-to-home travel and food. Her other work has been syndicated nationally through the Chicago Tribune Content Agency and USA Today networks.

Cost:

Adults (18-64): $8
Teens (13-17): $8
Seniors (65+): $6
Children (5-12): $6
Children under 5: Free

Society members receive a 10% discount

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