For Immediate Release

Contact: Kara O’Keeffe
Kara.okeeffe@wisconsinhistory.org
608-261-9596

October 25, 2018

Share Your Voice in Sheboygan and See Design Concepts on a New, Modern Wisconsin History Museum

Sheboygan, WI. – The local community is invited to join the Wisconsin Historical Society on Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018, from 5:30-7:30 pm at the Wade House Historic Site to share their thoughts and ideas and see design concepts for a new, modern, state history museum on Wisconsin’s Capitol Square in Madison. 

The goal of these sessions is to get feedback from educators, families, business leaders, and every sector of the public. This is an opportunity for the public to be a part of this process and to provide their vision of how the new museum can represent their community and the state to create relevant stories that have local significance and national impact.

“The input we receive at these public workshops will help shape future exhibits and storylines,” said Christian Overland, Ruth and Hartley Barker Director of the Wisconsin Historical Society. “We want the public to know that the new state history museum project is about more than bricks and mortar, it will connect to and tell the stories of Wisconsinites from all 72 counties.”

During these sessions, guests will have the opportunity to share feedback on current design concepts and share their thoughts on “What makes Wisconsin, Wisconsin.”

The event, supported by local partners, the Sheboygan County Historical Society and Museum and the Wade House Historic Site will start with light refreshments and an introduction to the new museum project. The Wade House is located at W7965 WI-23, Greenbush and the event is free and open to the public. Guests can pre-register at wihist.org/yourvoice.

“Sheboygan County has a rich history to be proud of and our community members have always acknowledged that history and supported it,” said Travis Gross, executive director of the Sheboygan County Historical Society Museum. “This public event on the future State Historical Society's museum is a great way for us Sheboyganites to share our great story on the state level. From our wonderful manufacturing history to The Chordettes to cheese and bratwurst, this is our chance to share our great history.”

The Wisconsin Historical Society is in the process of holding over 30 Statewide Engagement events including 19 public community events and 14 American Indian nation community events across the state over the next year. 

“As we hold more listening workshops across the state it is important for us to be inclusive and understand what types of stories and programs our guests would like in the new history museum,” Overland continued.  “We also want to understand how we can better serve our audiences in their towns and cities because we feel that everyone should feel welcomed in this museum, whether they visit in person or participate digitally.”

The Wisconsin Historical Society has been working towards building a new $120 million, 100,000-square-foot museum for more than 20 years. The new museum will more than double exhibition space, and include state-of-the-art technology while providing learning, meeting and flexible spaces. The new museum will reach and connect people all across the state through distance learning technology and exciting, modern exhibits.

For more information on the Wisconsin Historical Society visit wisconsinhistory.org.

About Wisconsin Historical Society
The Wisconsin Historical Society, founded in 1846, ranks as one of the largest, most active and most diversified state historical societies in the nation. As both a state agency and a private membership organization, its mission is to help people connect to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing stories. The Wisconsin Historical Society serves millions of people every year through a wide range of sites, programs and services. For more information, visit www.wisconsinhistory.org.

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