For Immediate Release 

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


June 27, 2019

Wisconsin Historical Museum Included in Budget

Madison, Wis. – The Wisconsin Historical Society (Society) would like to thank Governor Evers, the Joint Committee on Finance, legislative leadership, Senate members and Assembly members for including the new state history museum project in the 2019-2021 Capital Budget and approving the Society’s position authority in the 2019-2021 Biennial Budget.

The Society is deeply appreciative and grateful for the leadership of this state in supporting its mission to increase their ability to serve the citizens of Wisconsin by connecting people to the past through collecting, preserving, and sharing stories to enrich and transform lives through unparalleled access to history. 

“I am truly grateful for the support the Society has been given. The museum project and position authority ensures the state that all 72 counties will be able to have their stories told and communities served now and for future generations,” said Christian Overland, Ruth and Hartley Barker Director for the Wisconsin Historical Society. “The Society will reach thousands more students and families as we continue to serve the public, expand access to the State’s world-class collection, maintain our status as a national leader among state history organizations and create a new regional and national history destination in Wisconsin."

The position staffing model enables the Society to fill the needs of the agency while better serving communities around the state through continued education and outreach, including curatorial positions for Wisconsin’s diverse cultures. 

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 greater access to the Society’s collection. The new museum will reach and connect people all across the state through distance learning technology and exciting modern exhibitions.

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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