Linda Schenk

When people think about the Great River Road Visitor and Learning Center at Freedom Park in Prescott, they often think of the spectacular view of the Mississippi River, the beautiful bluff line or perhaps stopping in to pick up a map before continuing their journey along Wisconsin's Great River Road.

But there is so much more to this special place than meets the eye. Here are a few things you may not know about the Great River Road Visitor and Learning Center and Freedom Park.

The 4-acre bluff overlooking the confluence of the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers has been a special place for more than a century. The park originally opened to the public in 1918 under the name Scenic Tourist Park. In 1981, the park became the release site for a rehabilitated bald eagle named Freedom. The eagle became a symbol of conservation efforts to restore the declining bald eagle population. In 1982, the park was renamed Freedom Park in his honor.

Our center is not simply a place to pick up brochures. It is an interpretive and learning center where visitors can discover the cultural, historical, and environmental stories of the surrounding area. The center features exhibits focusing on the area's Indigenous history, the confluence of the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers, and transportation along the Great River Road. There are also opportunities for children to participate in Junior Ranger activities and for visitors to receive two National Park passport stamps.

Freedom Park's bluff provides an incredible vantage point for observing the Mississippi River. Our rooftop camera provides an ever- changing view of the river and surrounding bluff line. The bluff line walking path includes interpretive informational signs about the river and the migratory bird flyway. Native and pollinator gardens also add beauty while providing important habitat for insects and other wildlife.

For bird watchers, the location can be particularly special. The river corridor is an important migration route, and visitors may have the opportunity to see eagles and other birds throughout the year. It is an Audubon Watchable Birding Site. For bird lovers, the center has a sheet stating all of the birds that can be found in the area.

Did you know the center has its own art gallery? The River Room Art Gallery features rotating exhibits by local and regional artists. Each month can bring something different to discover, and artist receptions provide an opportunity for visitors to meet the people behind the artwork. The gallery is one way the center supports local artists while giving visitors another reason to stop, stay awhile and experience something new.

The center and Freedom Park host a variety of free family-friendly programs throughout the year. These have included; Music in the Park, children's activities, nature and environmental programs, art events, astronomy programs and community gatherings. One example is the popular Music in the Park series, which brings people together for an evening of music, food and fellowship. Other programs have included stargazing events and educational activities in partnership with organizations such as the National Park Services and Prescott Public Library.

The Great River Road Visitor and Learning Center has long attracted travelers from far beyond Prescott. In 2025 the center welcomed over 13,000 visitors inside the center from 46 different states and 20 different countries. Today, the center continues to serve as an important northern gateway to Wisconsin's Great River Road, helping travelers discover communities, attractions and natural resources throughout the river corridor.

While we love welcoming travelers, the center isn't just for tourists. Freedom Park is a gathering place for our local community. People come here for events, art, educational programs, walks, celebrations, to stroll the park with their dog, or to simply enjoy the view.

Another thing many people may not realize is how many organizations work together to make Freedom Park successful. Our new acknowledgement wall hosts all our partners that make our center the success that it is. We would not be able to run our center without this support. These partnerships allow us to offer educational opportunities, programs and experiences that one organization could not provide alone.

Perhaps the biggest thing you may not know about the Great River Road Visitor and Learning Center is that you can visit more than once and still discover something new. A new artist may be featured in the gallery. The gardens change with the seasons. Migrating birds bring different visitors to the river. A new program may be on the calendar. Longtime residents sometimes learn something they never knew about their own community. That is what makes the Great River Road Visitor and Learning Center at Freedom Park so special.

We invite you to stop by, take in the view, walk the bluff, explore the exhibits, visit the gallery, shop the gift store, and ask us about what is happening in the park. You may be surprised by how much there is to discover right here in Prescott.

Great River Road Visitor and Learning Center at Freedom Park is located at 200 Monroe St., Prescott. Learn more at www.freedomparkwi.org