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Buildings & Grounds: 1881 Observatory at U. of Wisconsin at Madison Gets Makeover

The University of Wisconsin at Madisonâ??s Washburn Observatory, opened in 1881, will reopen Friday after a two-year, $2.5-million renovation that preserved the Italianate buildingâ??s historic 15.6-inch refractor telescope while creating office and classroom space for a university honors program.