About the Burial Sites Preservation Board

The Burial Sites Preservation Board is an independent panel that helps to administer Wisconsin's burial sites law.

The Board is made up of the director of the Wisconsin Historical Society, the State Historic Preservation Officer, the State Archaeologist three members nominated by Native American Tribal Chairpersons and appointed by the governor, as well as three members nominated by the Wisconsin Archeological Survey who are also appointed by the governor. The board meets four times per year.

2023 Burial Sites Preservation Board Meetings

• March 30, 2023, Stevens Point Agenda
• June 8, 2023, Wisconsin Historical Society Headquarters, Madison Agenda
• September 14, 2023, Wisconsin Historical Society Headquarters, Madison Agenda
• December 7, 2023, Stevens Point

The September 2023 meeting of the Burial Sites Preservation Board will take place in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society from 9:30 am to 11:00 am. Interested members of the public may attend in person or can register to attend online via this link:

https://http://wihist.org/BSPB-Sep-2023

Burial Sites Preservation Board Members

Voting Members

Paul Reckner WHS Director Designee
Archeologist
Wisconsin Historical Society
Madison, Wisconsin

Jennifer Haas Chair
Wisconsin Archeological Survey
Shorewood, Wisconsin

Cynthia Stiles Vice Chair
Wisconsin Archeological Survey
Rhinelander, Wisconsin

Katherine Stevenson 
Wisconsin Archeological Survey
La Crosse, Wisconsin

David J. Grignon
Nahwahquaw
Tribal Historical Preservation Officer
Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin
Keshena, Wisconsin

Vacant
Tribal Representative

Melinda Young
Tribal Representative
Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians
Lac du Flambeau, WI

Non-Voting Members

Amy Rosebrough
Interim State Archaeologist
Wisconsin Historical Society
Madison, Wisconsin

Amy Wyatt
Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer
Wisconsin Historical Society
Madison, Wisconsin

Burial Sites Preservation Board Responsibilities

1. Determine which Native American tribes in Wisconsin have an interest in any cataloged burial site or class of cataloged burial sites.
2. Determine which applicants to the Registry of Interested Persons have an interest in a cataloged burial site or class of cataloged burial sites.
3. Notify the director of the Wisconsin Historical Society who they have approved for membership on the Registry of Interested Persons.
4. Review decisions made by the director of the Wisconsin Historical Society and the Department of Administration's Division of Hearings and Appeals to permit or deny disturbance to cataloged burial sites.
5. Review the director's decision to rebury human remains or transfer them to the custody of members of the Registry of Interested Persons.
6. Approve the transfer of burial sites from municipal to private ownership.

Learn More

Human Burials, Mounds and Cemeteries

Learn about the state and federal laws that protect burial sites, Native American mounds and other places where human remains are buried.

Have Questions?

Contact burialsites@wisconsinhistory.org or 608-264-6464.