Venue Information

Orton Park in Madison, Wisconsin, was originally chosen as the site for the Village of Madison Cemetery in 1846. A decade later, upon acquisition of the Forest Hill site, the fathers of the growing city decided to disinter the bodies buried here. Named for Sureme Court Justice Harlow S. Orton, the park was the first municipal facility of its type. Official dedication occurred in 1887, being the culmination of a 12-year effort by Sixth Warders led by John George Ott. The park was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.