Wisconsin Historical Society begins statewide tour seeking local feedback on new museum design

The Wisconsin Historical Society “Share Your Voice” event will be visiting 40 communities in 2019 to hear from local residents about what they would like to see in a new, modern state history museum on Wisconsin’s Capitol Square in Madison.

Each local community is invited to join the Wisconsin Historical Society during the public forums to share their thoughts and ideas, and to see design concepts for a new modern, state-of-the-art history museum. The goal of these sessions is to get feedback from educators, families, business leaders, and every sector of the public.

“The new museum will be about more than bricks and mortar,” said Christian Overland, Ruth and Hartley Barker Director of the Wisconsin Historical Society. “The new museum will reach all 72 counties and represent all Wisconsinites. Communities will be able to share their stories in this new museum network and because of that we want to hear from people all across the state.”

During these sessions, guests will have the opportunity to share feedback on current design concepts, share their thoughts on “What makes Wisconsin, Wisconsin” and how they would like a state history museum to serve their community. The Society will also seek input through classroom visits with students and teachers.

“The input we receive at these public workshops will help shape future exhibits and storylines,” continued Overland. “This is a rare opportunity for the public to be a part of this process and to provide their vision of how the new museum can present Wisconsin and their history to create relevant stories that have local significance and national impact.”

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.

“Listening sessions are community-based including African-American, American-Indian, Latino, and Hmong communities in multiple locations,” Overland added. “These sessions are an important part of the process of ensuring the new museum represents the diversity and inclusion of the people of Wisconsin.”