Created in partnership with the University of Wisconsin–Madison Archives and the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, the new exhibit explores more than a century of shared football history.
Notre Dame and Wisconsin will make history at Lambeau Field during the 2026 Shamrock Series. They’ll also bring it with them.
Thanks to archivists from the University of Notre Dame, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, fans traveling to Lambeau Field for the Labor Day weekend matchup will have a chance to witness history in the making on the field while exploring the people and moments that shaped more than a century of football history off it.
Featuring items from the University of Notre Dame Archives and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Archives, “From the Gridiron to the Archives: Documenting Over a Century of Notre Dame and Wisconsin Football” offers a unique look at the intertwined history of two of college football’s most storied programs in one of professional football’s iconic locations.
“Notre Dame and Wisconsin have rich football histories,” said Patrick Milhoan, department head for the University of Notre Dame Archives. “By partnering with archivists and curators at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, we are giving fans an opportunity to explore how those histories have shaped their teams and traditions today.”
This marks the second Shamrock Series exhibit created by the University of Notre Dame Archives. In 2024, they traveled to Yankee Stadium and displayed pieces from the collection prior to the Shamrock Series game against Army. From the opening of the gate on game day until kickoff, nearly 500 football fans had the chance to see pieces from Notre Dame’s collection and talk with archivists.
“It’s an engaging way to showcase our collections to people who may not be able to otherwise see them,” Milhoan said after the exhibit.
After the exhibit’s success at Yankee Stadium, Milhoan and his team saw an opportunity to do even more for the 2026 Shamrock Series game scheduled for another storied sports stage, Lambeau Field.
“Given the deep historical ties between Notre Dame, the Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin-Madison, we saw a compelling opportunity to create a unique and engaging temporary exhibit,” said Milhoan.
Archivists at Wisconsin and the Packers agreed.
“The Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame is proud to collaborate with the University of Notre Dame Archives and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Archives,” Brent Hensel, curator for the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, said. “The Packers share many historical connections with two of college football’s finest programs.”
The exhibit features a variety of items related to the two schools’ shared football heritage, including a contract for the 1917 game in Madison, programs, photographs, ticket stubs and a 1928 letter sharing Knute Rockne’s praise of Wisconsin’s students and team.
Visitors will learn about cross-sport collaboration between Rockne and Wisconsin basketball coach Walter Meanwell, who held summer coaching programs during the 1920s.
“The collaboration with Notre Dame and the Green Bay Packers for the Shamrock Series has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional career as an archivist,” Katie Nash, head of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Archives, said. “It’s exciting for all of us to work together in order to bring archival collections to life and demonstrate the importance of a shared past.”
In addition to viewing items that connect the two schools, Wisconsin fans will have the opportunity to see the football Pat O’Dea punted 100 yards against Yale in 1899, and Notre Dame fans can view items related to neutral-site games at Yankee Stadium and Soldier Field, and in cities such as Philadelphia and Tokyo.
“Fans often know the history behind their favorite team, but they don’t always get to see pieces of that history up close,” Milhoan said. “I hope that this exhibit gives fans from Notre Dame and Wisconsin a chance to learn more about their team and connect with its story.”
Date: Sept. 3-7
Location: Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame
Hours:
Thursday, Sept. 3: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Friday, Sept. 4: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Saturday, Sept. 5: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sunday, Sept. 6: 12:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Monday, Sept. 7: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Fans attending the game can see the exhibit and meet the curators.
Date: Sunday, Sept. 6, from 4:30-6:30 pm
A Hall of Fame admission ticket is required for all exhibits and events. On game day, Sept. 6, a Shamrock Series ticket is required in addition to a Hall of Fame ticket.
July 2026 to June 2027
This year-long exhibit, curated by the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, details the connections between Earl “Curly” Lambeau, the University of Notre Dame and the University of Wisconsin.
