Picture German immigrant architect August Kutzbock designing this synagogue in 1863 for seventeen Jewish families who worshiped and built community here. Picture the 17 German-speaking Jewish families who met here, building community and worshiping in this space until financial difficulties obliged them to begin renting the building to numerous tenants in 1879 and, ultimately, to sell the building in 1916. After that sale it passed through a succession of owners and served many lives: a dentist's office, a funeral home, and the office of US Congressman Robert Kastenmeier.
In 1970 it was set to be demolished, but concerned members of the community raised money to move it. The effort was supported by the citizens of Madison, the Taychopera Foundation historical preservation fund, and the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, and in July 1971 the synagogue was moved to James Madison Park. Today it stands as one of the oldest synagogues in the United States and was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
A dentist's office, a funeral home, and Congressman Robert Kastenmeier's office all once filled these walls.