About the Wisconsin Burial Sites Preservation Board
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.
2024 Burial Sites Preservation Board Meeting Minutes
- March 7, 2024, Madison Agenda | Minutes
- June 6, 2024, Stevens Point Agenda | Minutes
- August 8, 2024, Madison Agenda | Minutes
- September 5, 2024, Madison Agenda | Minutes
- December 5, 2024, Madison Agenda | Minutes
2025 Burial Sites Preservation Board Meeting Dates and Agendas
The Burial Sites Preservation Board will conduct a hybrid meeting in the Murphy Board Room at the Wisconsin Historical Society and via Zoom on June 5 from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm. Members of the public may attend in person or register to attend via Zoom at https://wihist.org/BSPB-JUN-2025.
Burial Sites Preservation Board Members
Voting Members
George Christiansen, Interim Chair
Wisconsin Archeological Survey
Madison, Wisconsin
David J. Grignon
Nahwahquaw
Tribal Historical Preservation Officer
Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin
Keshena, Wisconsin
Lawrence Plucinski
Tribal Historic Preservation Officer
Bad River Band of Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians
Odanah, Wisconsin
Paul Reckner, WHS Director Designee & Secretary
Archeologist
Wisconsin Historical Society
Madison, Wisconsin
Katherine Stevenson
Wisconsin Archeological Survey
La Crosse, Wisconsin
Zachary Stencil
Wisconsin Archeological Survey
Madison, Wisconsin
Sarah Thompson
Tribal Historic Preservation Officer
Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians
Lac du Flambeau, WI
Non-Voting Members
Amy Rosebrough
State Archaeologist
Wisconsin Historical Society
Madison, Wisconsin
Amy Wyatt
Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer
Wisconsin Historical Society
Madison, Wisconsin
Burial Sites Preservation Board Responsibilities
- Determine which Native American tribes in Wisconsin have an interest in any cataloged burial site or class of cataloged burial sites.
- Determine which applicants to the Registry of Interested Persons have an interest in a cataloged burial site or class of cataloged burial sites.
- Notify the director of the Wisconsin Historical Society who they have approved for membership on the Registry of Interested Persons.
- 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.
- Review the director's decision to rebury human remains or transfer them to the custody of members of the Registry of Interested Persons.
- 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.