Wisconsin Historical Society

Overview
Headquarters: 
Madison
Website: 
wisconsinhistory.org
Areas of Focus: 
Arts / Culture / Humanities
About Us
Mission: 

The Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS), is one of the nation’s largest, most active, and most diversified historical societies with world-class collections. It was founded in 1846, two years before Wisconsin became a state, and is the oldest publicly funded historical society in the United States. Throughout its more than 170 years, the Society has been a trusted source of historical information.

The WHS’s mission is to connect people to the past by collecting, preserving, and sharing stories. By providing a powerful connection to the past, the Society encourages everyone to learn from earlier generations. The WHS shares its staff, collections, and services in ways that captivate and respect its diverse audiences.

Programs: 

The Society’s programs include a major national research and genealogical library and archives that include the largest North American History collection in the United States; a network of 12 historic sites and museums throughout Wisconsin that attract over 300,000 visitors annually; a statewide historic preservation program that produced over $250 million in construction and 4,551 jobs in 2016 through the Society’s Historic Preservation Tax Credit programs; and a  statewide program of publications, school services and local history that includes over 400 history-related programs annually. 

The Society is a state agency, membership organization and public, nonprofit institution.  As a state agency, the WHS’s state funding and permanent positon authority is set by the legislature through the state budget process.  The WHS, however, is unique from other state agencies in several ways.  First, it is governed by a Board of Curators, which appoints the Society’s director.  Second, the WHS has statutory authority to contract with private, 501(c)(3) organizations.  Third, a significant percentage of the WHS’s budget (approximately 41%) is supported by gifts, grants, and earned income.

 

industry: 
Nonprofit