For Immediate Release

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


June 13, 2019

Wisconsin Historical Society Seeking Input on a New State History Museum from African American Community

Beloit, Wis. – On June 19, the African American community will have an opportunity 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 event is free and open to the public and will take place at the Beloit Historical Society from 6:00-8:00 pm (doors open at 5:30 pm). Guests can pre-register here or come on the night of the event.

“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 event will start with an introduction to the new museum project. Guests will hear from Christian Overland and then participate in workshops that will help develop feedback and conversations on current exhibit design concepts, what makes their community unique and how a state history museum could serve their community.

Prior to the program, guests are invited to enjoy an up-close view of three items from the Wisconsin Historical Society's world-renowned American history collection rarely shown in public. One of the needs for the new museum is to have a state-of-the-art space with updated systems to display objects similar to these. The collection pieces that will be on display include a pair of ‘Rosie the Riveter’ coveralls from Fairbanks, Morse & Company in Beloit, a rock and note thrown through the window of Daisy Bates' home in 1957 and Fair Housing March photographs.

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. More information can be found 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.

###