The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public land-grant research university in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. It was founded in 1848 when Wisconsin achieved statehood and is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. The 933-acre main campus is located on the shores of Lake Mendota; the university also owns and operates …The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public land-grant research university in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. It was founded in 1848 when Wisconsin achieved statehood and is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. The 933-acre main campus is located on the shores of Lake Mendota; the university also owns and operates a 1,200-acre arboretum 4 miles south of the main campus.