State Historical Society of Wisconsin

State Historical Society of Wisconsin. The State Historical Society of Wisconsin, founded in 1846, is a Wisconsin Legislature-authorized organization dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing the History of Wisconsin, United States. The society is headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, near the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the Wisconsin State Capitol. It has been a Smithsonian Institution affiliate since 2011, and its collections include materials related to Abraham Lincoln, Robert La Follette, and the Wisconsin Progressive Movement.

● History

The State Historical Society of Wisconsin was established in 1846, two years before Wisconsin became the 30th state to join the United States of America. The society's first meeting was held in Beloit, Wisconsin, with Nathaniel Tallmadge as its first president. Over the years, the society has been led by notable figures such as Lyman Draper, who played a key role in the development of the Draper Manuscript Collection, and Reuben Gold Thwaites, who edited the Jesuit Relations. The society has also been involved in various projects, including the Wisconsin Historical Records Survey and the Federal Writers' Project, which aimed to document the state's history and cultural heritage.

● Collections

The State Historical Society of Wisconsin has an extensive collection of materials related to Wisconsin history, including documents, photographs, and artifacts. The society's collections include the Draper Manuscript Collection, which contains materials related to the French and Indian War and the American Revolution, as well as the McCormick-International Harvester Collection, which documents the history of the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company and the International Harvester corporation. The society also has a significant collection of materials related to African American history in Wisconsin, including the papers of William Green, a prominent African American leader in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

● Library and Archives

The State Historical Society of Wisconsin's library and archives are a major resource for researchers and historians. The library's collections include over 3 million books, manuscripts, and newspapers, as well as a significant collection of maps and atlases. The archives contain a wide range of materials, including the records of the Wisconsin State Legislature, the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and the University of Wisconsin System. The society also has a large collection of materials related to Wisconsin's role in World War I and World War II, including the papers of General Douglas MacArthur and the records of the Wisconsin War Council.

● Museums and Historic Sites

The State Historical Society of Wisconsin operates several museums and historic sites throughout the state, including the Wisconsin Historical Museum in Madison, Wisconsin, the Pabst Mansion in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the Villa Louis in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. The society also operates the Old World Wisconsin outdoor museum, which showcases the state's European American heritage, and the H.H. Bennett Studio & Museum in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, which features the work of H.H. Bennett, a prominent photographer and artist. The society's historic sites include the Aztalan State Park, which preserves the remains of an ancient Mississippian culture village, and the Circus World Museum in Baraboo, Wisconsin, which showcases the history of the Ringling Brothers Circus.

● Publications and Programs

The State Historical Society of Wisconsin publishes several journals and magazines, including the Wisconsin Magazine of History and the Wisconsin Historical Society Press. The society also offers a range of educational programs and events, including the Wisconsin History Day competition, which encourages students to explore and learn about the state's history. The society's publications and programs have been recognized with numerous awards, including the National Humanities Medal and the American Association for State and Local History's Leadership in History Award. The society has also partnered with other organizations, such as the National Park Service and the Library of Congress, to promote the study and preservation of American history.

● Governance and Funding

The State Historical Society of Wisconsin is governed by a board of curators, which includes representatives from the University of Wisconsin System, the Wisconsin State Legislature, and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. The society is funded through a combination of state appropriations, private donations, and grants from organizations such as the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The society has also received funding from the Wisconsin Arts Board and the Wisconsin Humanities Council to support its programs and exhibitions. The society's budget is managed by the Wisconsin Department of Administration, which ensures that the society's finances are transparent and accountable to the public. Category:Historical societies