Wisconsin Historical Foundation

Museums and historic sites: the division of museums and historic sites collects and preserves the material culture of Wisconsin and interprets the state's history and prehistory for the public. The division fulfills its educational role through exhibitions, tours and a variety of public programs conducted at the Wisconsin Historical museum in madison, and at historic sites and other venues throughout the state.

Whf operations: whf was founded in 1954 and it's operations are focused on the support of the society's mission by providing philanthropic, financial, and operational services to the society. As a supporting Foundation, whf must support financially its own operations while at the same time fulfill its mission to support the society. Like other supporting foundations, whf utilizes a number of revenue streams to support operating costs, including contributions, fees on the funds it holds, endowment distributions, and service revenue. Whf operations generate financial support for the society initiatives and operations whf and provides other support to the society.

History center campaign: to raise funds to support the planning, design, and construction of a new history center.

Library and archives: the division of library, archives and museum collections acquires, preserves and provides access to documentary and artifactual evidence about the history of Wisconsin, the united states, and canada. With over 4 million items, its genealogy and history collections are among the largest and most comprehensive in the world documenting north american history. The society's library and archives is also the american history library for the university of Wisconsin, an official depository for local, state and federal government publications, and the state archives which preserves state and local government records of Historical importance. The area research center network, a unique alliance between the Historical society and the four-year campuses of the uw system, makes most of the archival collections available within easy driving distance of all state residents.

Whf support for society: whf manages funds that support the society's operations. These funds include endowments, spend-down funds, funds without donor restrictions, and a board designated quasi-endowment. Expenditures from endowments and spend-down funds restricted to the society's programs and operations are managed through the society's annual budget planning process. Whf informs the society of available fund balances, and the society's leadership determines funds to be transferred. Depending on the fund type, whf charges fees for the management of funds. These fees help offset whf operating cost.

Outreach and engagement: the office of programs and outreach helps people connect with their past by publishing books and magazines, providing expert professional advice to local historians, and supporting k-12 students and teachers. It also offers travelling exhibits and speakers to community centers, libraries, schools, and other organizations around the state, visiting hundreds of communities each year.

Historic preservation and public history: the society is the federally-designated state historic preservation office (shpo). In partnership with communities, organizations and individuals, the shpo works to identify, interpret and preserve historic places for the benefit of present and future generations.