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Dr. W.D. Hutchings' Office & Museum

This site is one of the most authentic 19th-century medical history restorations in the US. Hundreds of Dr. Hutchings’ medical records, surgical tools, books, and other artifacts including early electrical healing devices fill the office. Next door, in the museum, enjoy a sampling of the Hutchings’ family treasures.

Dr. Hutchings' Office & Annex is closed for the season. Public tours will resume in April 2026.

All tours of this historic site are guided. Tour availability varies by time of year.

Inquiries about group tours and costs should be made by calling (812) 265-2967 or emailing hmi@historicmadisoninc.com

Address: 120 W. Third St.

Want to take a tour? Here's what you need to know!

Public tours happen at a specific time and day. You can find the schedule of all our tours on the Calendar of Events page.
To join a tour, you do not need a reservation.
Meet at Dr. Hutching’s a few minutes before the tour begins. You'll be greeted by a guide and an HMI staff person who will collect the fee for the tour.
Public tours are $10 for adults of all ages. HMI members, students, and kids are always FREE. We accept cash and debit/credit cards.
All tours are guided tours.
A tour typically lasts approximately 45-60 minutes.
The site is not open beyond the tour time unless there is a special open house or other event.
A public tour includes access to the office and building next door.
Some stairs will be recommended, but can be limited if needed.
Groups of 8 or more should schedule a group tour by calling the HMI Office at 812-265-2967.
For all other questions, please call the HMI Office or email us at hmi@historicmadisoninc.com.

Lida Hutchings & Elisabeth Kelemen

The Hutchings Collection largely owes its existence to Lida Hutchings (pictured left) and Elisabeth Kelemen (pictured right).

Lida Hutchings, born in 1878, was the daughter of Dr. William and Matilda Hutchings. She was an extremely talented photographer and documented both life in Madison and her travels. After her father died in 1903, she took extensive photographs of his office.

Elisabeth Zulauf Kelemen was born in 1898 to Agnes Matilda Hutchings (another daughter of Dr. and Matilda) and John C. Zulauf. She and her family moved from New York City to Europe after the tragic death of her only sister Agnes. Elisabeth was an accomplished singer, performing in over 100 concerts in many languages around the world. In 1932 she married art historian and archeologist Pál Kelemen, and together they documented pre-Columbian art in the Americas on survey trips. Together they wrote The Kelemen Journals: Incidents of Discovery of Art in the Americas, 1932-1964, with her photographs adding visual examples of their findings.

In the late 1960s, Elisabeth and Lida had collected and filled the Doctor's Office with all their family belongings and prepared to disperse them to institutions that would be interested in their collections. Sadly, Lida passed away in the process, leaving Elizabeth to finish the work as the last descendant of the Hutchings family. It was announced in May of 1969 that Elizabeth and her husband Pál had donated the building and its contents to HMI. The items donated, including Lida's photographs, helped restore the office to how it had been when the doctor last practiced medicine there. Elisabeth continued to be a supporter of HMI until her death in 1997. The dedication of these two women to the preservation of the office and their family stories remains invaluable.

Meet the Hutchings Children

Maude

(1862-1931)

She worked alongside her father growing up as his assistant. She wanted to attend medical school, but her father said it was too hard a life for a woman. Her hobbies included violin and taxidermy.

Josephine "Joie" Lilly

(1863-1930)

She graduated from the University of Chicago and became a teacher. Joie, as her family called her, was well known for performing public singing recitals in Madison. She also played the harmonium.

Charles "Fred" Frederick

(1867-1948)

Fred, as he was known, lived a successful life as an investor and engineer. He served in important roles like the Superintendent of the Vancouver, Canada, Tramway and lighting system, and an executive of a chemical company in Bay City, MI. He was also an early investor in a railroad that went from the Canadian west coast to the Yukon gold fields.

Robert Koehler

(1869-1956)

He became a physician, served as an Army doctor in WWI, and spent many years practicing medicine in Colorado Springs, CO. Robert graduated from the Ohio Medical College in Cincinnati. He wrote extensively in medical journals and other publications. Later in his life, he moved to San Francisco and specialized in eye care.

Herman Woolen

(1871-1902)

He was an early and excellent amateur photographer. He lived an adventurous, but short life. He managed an orange grove in Hernando, FL, that Dr. Hutchings bought as an investment. He was in the Colorado Springs area, where he had been prospecting for gold, when he passed away.

Agnes Matilda

(1873-1933)

She married John Zulauf, scion of a wealthy banking family from Switzerland. She was an opera singer who traveled Europe with her husband. Once they had children, they moved to New York City, so their daughters could have a quality education. Agnes' daughters are the only Hutchings family grandchildren.

Lida

(1878-1968)

She was the last surviving child of the Hutchings clan. She was an early pioneering woman photographer, likely taught by her brother Herman. After high school graduation, Lida spent time working on the Lakota Sioux Reservation in South Dakota with her aunts. She cared for what would become the Hutchings Collection up until her last days.

Zoe Agusta

(1880-1961)

Zoe was the youngest of her siblings and suffered through her adult life with mental illness. She was institutionalized at St. Elizabeth's in Washington, DC, and then spent the majority of her life in the Madison State Hospital. Her siblings ensured she was always taken care of throughout her life.