Historic preservation developments in Wisconsin followed the national patterns, with early efforts led by concerned citizens followed by increasing government involvement.

Early Efforts  

Private efforts and the work of local historical organizations led preservation efforts in Wisconsin throughout the early 20th century. In 1903, people concerned about preserving Native American artifacts and sites in Wisconsin founded the Wisconsin Archaeological Society. The group primarily focused on Indian mounds, and by the 1920s had helped save 500 mounds throughout the state.

Early efforts in the state that focused on preserving buildings and historic period sites included those by the Wisconsin Federation of Women's Clubs, which in 1910 purchased the land where the first capitol of the Wisconsin Territory had once stood in Belmont. In 1917, the State of Wisconsin appropriated funds to purchase the capitol building and return it to its original site. In 1924, this area became the First Capitol State Park.

Other projects typically involved the purchase of historically significant buildings, such as the Old Agency House and Fort Winnebago in Portage, the Little White Schoolhouse in Ripon, St. Augustine Church in New Diggings, and historic Hazelwood in Green Bay, the home of the principal author of Wisconsin's constitution.

Legislative Initiatives

On the state level, Wisconsin enacted the Integrated Park Act in 1947, which made it possible for the state to purchase, restore, and develop properties of historic and archaeological significance. The first property purchased under this legislation was a portion of the 1,000-year-old site of Aztalan.

Following the 1966 passage of the NHPA, the Wisconsin Historical Society was designated as the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and the official preservation administrator. Funds for permanent historic preservation staff were established in 1972. The office initially focused on conducting surveys of historic buildings and nominating sites to the National Register. In 1976, the State Historic Preservation Office was formally established. This office is responsible for a wide variety of preservation programs and activities.

Local Preservation Efforts

Communities across the state began to adopt local historic preservation ordinances and designate local landmarks and historic districts in the 1960s and 1970s. The first community in Wisconsin to develop a historic preservation ordinance and appoint a historic preservation commission was Milwaukee in 1963. Similar action took place in Madison in 1970, Fond du Lac in 1971, and Mineral Point in 1972.

Several other cities followed suit throughout the decade, including Racine, La Crosse, Middleton, Waukesha, Kenosha, Cedarburg, Wausau, Evansville, and Mequon. The demolition of notable historic buildings sometimes served as a wake-up call, spurring the creation of local ordinances as residents demanded better protection of their historic resources.

Historic Preservation Task Force

In 1985, a group of state legislators, developers, architects, and attorneys formed the Wisconsin Historic Preservation Task Force. The group developed a comprehensive historic preservation legislative packet, much of which was subsequently enacted. These initiatives included the establishment of a Wisconsin State Register of Historic Places, state tax credit programs, and zoning and funding programs to support historic preservation. Preservationists initiated the Main Street program in Wisconsin in 1987 to stimulate economic investment in the state's downtowns.

Historic Preservation Ordinances

The State of Wisconsin continued to advance its historic preservation legislation in the 1990s by requiring cities and villages that have a National Register-listed property within their jurisdiction to adopt local historic preservation ordinances. As a result, approximately 167 Wisconsin communities have local historic preservation ordinances. When full compliance with the statute is reached, over 220 localities will have such ordinances in place.

In 1999, the state enacted "Smart Growth" legislation that required most of Wisconsin's counties, cities, villages, and towns to adopt a plan that addresses the preservation of cultural resources by 2010.

Wisconsin Historic Preservation Timeline

• 1903 – The Wisconsin Archaeological Society is founded.
• 1910 – The Wisconsin Federation of Women's Clubs purchases land of territorial capital.
• 1917 – The State of Wisconsin appropriates funds to purchase capitol building and returns it to its original site.
• 1947 – Wisconsin enacts the Integrated Park Act.
• 1963 – Milwaukee becomes the first community in Wisconsin to develop a historic preservation ordinance and appoint a historic preservation commission.
• 1966 – The Wisconsin Historical Society is designated as the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).
• 1976 – The Division of Historic Preservation – Public History of the Wisconsin Historical Society is established.
• 1985 – The Wisconsin Historic Preservation Task Force is formed.
• 1999 – Wisconsin enacts "Smart Growth" legislation requiring communities to address the preservation of cultural resources.

• The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA)
• Preservation Laws and Programs