For Immediate Release

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

May 2, 2019

Wisconsin Historical Society Seeking Input on a New State History Museum from All Communities

Milwaukee, Wis. – On May 14 and 15 Milwaukeeans will have three opportunities to share their thoughts and ideas with the Wisconsin Historical Society as we seek to create a modern, state-of-the-art, and inclusive statewide history museum on the Capitol Square in Madison that connects and tells the stories of Wisconsin’s unique mix of people.

“The Wisconsin Historical Society values building relationships with all communities in order to integrate authentic perspectives from diverse populations into the new museum project,” said Christian Overland, Ruth and Hartley Barker Director of the Wisconsin Historical Society.

The first event on May 14 will take place at and is co-hosted by the Wisconsin Black Historical Society & Museum from 6:00-8:00 pm (doors open at 5:30) to seek feedback from the African American community.

On May 15, there will be two events. The first event which is seeking feedback from the Asian American community will take place at and is co-hosted by the Islamic Resource Center from 12:30-2:00 pm (doors open at 12 noon). The second event of the day will take place at and is co-hosted by the United Community Center from 6:00-8:00 pm (doors open at 5:30 pm) to seek feedback from the Latinx community.

All of these events are public forums and free and open to everyone.

The Society is traveling the state and will be holding over 40 community listening sessions as well as 14 Native Nations engagement sessions and listening sessions with students. The Society will be holding two additional sessions in Milwaukee in June. Guests can pre-register at wihist.org/yourvoice.

“As we hold more listening workshops across the state, we have learned many community stories that have local significance and national impact. Our communities want to experience their stories in a new history museum,” Overland continued.  “We also want to understand how we can better serve our audiences in their towns and cities because we believe that everyone should feel welcomed in this museum when they visit in person and 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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