Highlights Archives
Online Architecture and History Inventory
Since the mid-1970s, the Wisconsin Historical Society's Historic Preservation Office has collected records for more than 130,000 buildings, structures, sites, objects and historic districts throughout Wisconsin. The inventory records contain information about the property's architecture and history as well as photographs and is updated daily with new information and images. This historic property database was recently recognized in a national study of similar databases from all 50 states conducted by the National Park Service. According to the study, Wisconsin's database meets more of the best practices for the collection and sharing of historic property information than any other state and stands out as one of the few states providing online public access to content.
Digitizing Collections for the Convenience of Researchers
We developed an online version of the Architecture and History Inventory that made the written information in our records more widely available to the public several years ago. Prior to that, researchers had to make an appointment to view the records housed at the Society headquarters in Madison. Although the online information was a huge step forward in making our collection more accessible, our goal would not be reached until we could also scan and share digital copies of the thousands of photographs in our records. A 2007 grant from the Evjue Foundation made it possible for us to scan the photographs of more than 10,000 Dane County properties. You can currently view those and more than 30,000 photos of historic properties from other counties in our inventory. In 2008 the National Park Service awarded the Society a Preserve America grant to finish the job of digitizing and posting online the remaining 175,000 photographs in our inventory. We are in the process of digitizing these images right now and will be adding thousands of new images to our online collection in the coming months.
Inventory Embodies 35 Years of Surveying Wisconsin's Historic Landscape
These photos represent the work of 35 years of surveying Wisconsin's historic landscape, which means you may be able to view multiple images to see how a building has changed over time. We are very excited the public will be able to view these photos while reading about the fascinating history of the architecture of Wisconsin. The images enhance the information in our records and help the viewer understand the architectural details and historic elements that make the buildings worthy of appreciation and preservation.
As you explore the inventory, don't forget that May is Historic Preservation and Archaeology Month, which means events are being held across the state where you can visit and enjoy historic properties. Visit our calendar of events to find an event near you.
:: Posted May 18, 2009
|
