History Advocacy Day in Wisconsin | Wisconsin Historical Society

General Information

History Advocacy Day in Wisconsin

Calling All History Advocates!

History Advocacy Day in Wisconsin | Wisconsin Historical Society
Web banner for 7th annual History Day in Wisconsin with white text and image of State Capitol building on blue background

7th Annual History Advocacy Day in Wisconsin, Coming April 2024!

Details on the 7th Annual History Advocacy Day are forthcoming this December. Check back here to learn more about the event and to register as a volunteer history advocate!

History Advocacy Day in Wisconsin

History advocates from around the state are invited to join the Society to thank lawmakers for their ongoing support of Wisconsin history and highlight the critical role that state and local history play in collecting, preserving, and sharing stories. Write a letter, make a call, or schedule a meeting to advocate for history in Wisconsin!

Your participation makes a tremendous impact. History advocates like you create enthusiasm and promote the need to preserve and share our stories from generation to generation. Help us thank our lawmakers for their past support of history and spread awareness of all that our organizations do throughout the entire state and in local communities!

What is Advocacy?

Advocacy confirms with elected officials that support from the state and federal government is a critical part of investing in history and cultural assets. The support allows for the Wisconsin Historical Society to continue its mission and vision across all 72 counties of Wisconsin. The goal of developing and implementing a state and federal advocacy plan is to secure state funding, federally designated spending, and competitive grant opportunities while showcasing the Society's current value proposition with statewide programing and democratizing its vast national collection. Additionally, advocacy will help our decision-makers understand the importance of the museums, local history organizations, and historic sites throughout Wisconsin while endorsing the unique way the Society and affiliates inspire and engage guests throughout Wisconsin and beyond.

Over the last six years, the Wisconsin Historical Society has hosted History Advocacy Day in the Capitol.  Advocates include local affiliates, historic preservationists, Society members, teachers, researchers, Wisconsin Historical Society Press authors, and more from all across Wisconsin. We have approximately 50 advocates attend each year, resulting in meetings with over 80 legislative offices… AND WE ARE JUST GETTING STARTED!

Talking points and training will be provided to advocates by the Wisconsin Historical Society.

Learn More about Becoming an Advocate Year-Round:

To find your representatives or learn more about the Wisconsin State Legislature, visit legis.wisconsin.gov.

2023 History Advocacy Day Recap

The sixth annual History Advocacy Day in Wisconsin was held on March 22, 2023. At the event, 40 advocates met in-person with 73 legislative offices, including 26 state senators and 47 state representatives. The day was a great success and helped to secure unanimous support for the following initiatives:

  • Transition funding of $2.5 million for the Wisconsin Historical Society's Information Technology Services from DoIT with UW-Madison to the Department of Enterprise Technology at DOA.
  • The re-enumeration of the Wisconsin History Center project for $160.5 million after the project budget increased by $60.5 million due to inflation and project cost escalation.
  • One-time funding of $2 million in transition costs for the Wisconsin History Center.

See a listing of the 2023 supporting documents, below:

Have Questions?

For more information about advocating, please contact either:

Kate Easton, Director of Government Relations, kate.easton@wisconsinhistory.org or (608) 264-6442, or

Kennedy McCarthy, Executive Staff Assistant, kennedy.mccarthy@wisconsinhistory.org or (608) 264-6029