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Spring Road Trip 2025

Join us in learning about and celebrating creativity, caretaking, community, and skilling-up for a liberatory way of being and living in the Midwest.

MIBA's Spring Road Trip is a partnership with 
Republic of Letters, The Book Kitchen, and Shake Rag Alley

Register Here!

Deadline

  • Registration deadline: April 11th, 2025 (although soonest is always best!)

Drive times
  • Madison: 1 hour
  • Milwaukee: 2 hours
  • Iowa City: 2 hours
  • Chicago:  3 hours
  • Des Moines: 3.5 hours
  • Minneapolis/St Paul: 4.5 hours
  • Omaha: 5.5 hours
  • Kansas City 5.5 hours
  • Sioux Falls 6.5 hours

Airports

Meeting locations

We're meeting at a few locations in the community, all within walking distance of each other, and transportation will be available for those needing accommodation:

  • Shake Rag Alley's Lind Pavillion
    • 18 Shake Rag St.
      Mineral Point, WI 53565
  • The Republic of Letters and The Book Kitchen
    • 152 High St
      Mineral Point, WI 53565
Lodging

Mineral Point has a variety of lodging from a chain hotel to inns, to bed and breakfast options to camping! Please check them out here.

  • Please note, we decided against booking a hotel block because the pricing was better via individual booking online and we want to make this trip as accessible as possible for all. At the time of this writing, many rooms are available at the Quality Inn during the Spring Road Trip.
  • Many of the rentals are within walking distance of Shake Rag Alley, The Republic of Letters, and The Book Kitchen
Get to know the town:
Mineral Point is a historic small town nestled in the beautiful rolling hills of southwestern Wisconsin, known for its rich mining heritage, proud LGBTQ+ history, and vibrant arts community. Originally inhabited by oθaakiiwaki‧hina‧ki (Sauk) & Meškwahki·aša·hina (Fox), Očhéthi Šakówiŋ, Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo), Hoocąk (Ho-Chunk), and Myaamia Nations, Mineral Point was one of the first parts of Wisconsin to be colonized, in the early 1800's. It became a hub during the lead and zinc mining boom. At risk of becoming a ghost town in the 1930’s, the town was saved by a gay couple, Edgar Hellum and Bob Neal, who began buying and restoring properties, and inviting their friends to do the the same. The town is now celebrated for its thriving arts scene, with over two dozen galleries and artists studios that draw visitors year round, blending historic charm with a contemporary creative spirit.

Discover what Mineral Point has to offer here. 

Register Here!