Wisconsin Association of Historic Preservation Commissions

01/14/2026

Advocacy Action Alert
ACT TODAY: Please Urge Your State Senator to SUPPORT the
Historic Preservation Tax Credit “Repair” Bill

Late last year, the state Assembly unanimously passed the Historic Preservation Tax Credit “Repair” Bill (AB 375), which is the Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation’s top legislative priority. The bill would modernize the state’s HTC program by making the program more accessible and flexible. It would align state policy to help ensure Wisconsin’s historic buildings remain vital community assets while driving economic revitalization.

The WTHP Government Relations Team is now focused on the Senate and pushing the bill over the finish line before the Legislature adjourns for the session. But we need your HELP! Please email your state senator TODAY and urge them to SUPPORT the Historic Preservation Tax Credit “Repair” Bill.

Link to download pre-drafted e-mail text:
https://api.neonemails.com/emails/tracking/click-link/XWrRlJm0H9CHHuGp4VmYIiqlOVqCVWsVzGdpg8Ty8O4=/TjUKxU4dWS9rU85zeC8o4Rj8t970WeQ_vD81UoCYS8I=

Please contact your state senator and urge them to SUPPORT the Historic Preservation Tax Credit “Repair” Bill (AB 375). Simply cut-and-paste the linked sample email - feel free to personalize - and send to your state Senator. Find local state legislators and lawmakers here --> https://api.neonemails.com/emails/tracking/click-link/XWrRlJm0H9CHHuGp4VmYIiqlOVqCVWsVzGdpg8Ty8O4=/TjUKxU4dWS9rU85zeC8o4YuPNbf4kYrrUc3yhMB93lY=

Also, attend Historic Preservation Day at the State Capitol on February 4 to help educate legislators on policies that impact historic buildings and communities in their districts. Learn more and register here --> https://api.neonemails.com/emails/tracking/click-link/XWrRlJm0H9CHHuGp4VmYIiqlOVqCVWsVzGdpg8Ty8O4=/TjUKxU4dWS9rU85zeC8o4WRfAOnAgnuCUTcTotZ8Fkg=

11/07/2025

This is a last-minute notice for anyone wanting to lighten the end of the work-week and enter the 19th century.

06/11/2025

AN URGENT MESSAGE FROM THE WAHPC BOARD

Hello Historic Preservation Commission members, staff, and historic preservation advocates. I write to bring attention to alarming information received from the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers. Events pose immediate and developing threats to historic preservation in Wisconsin.

Since the 1960’s the Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS) has annually received an allocation from the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) that is then used for the administration of the WHS National Register program that includes the Certified Local Government (CLG) program and related grants, community outreach and education, and the Historic Tax Credit (HTC) program. These funds come from Federal offshore drilling leases and are not tax dollars.

The Immediate Threat:
The Federal budget for fiscal year 2025 was passed in March 2025 and contains funds from the (HPF). THESE FUNDS HAVE NOT YET BEEN RELEASED. HPF funding helps to ensure that the work of State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices/Officers (SHPO and THPO) can continue.

The Developing Threat:
The Federal budget for fiscal year 2026 is being formulated by Congress. THE CURRENT VERSION CONTAINS NO FUNDING FOR THE HPF. If this situation holds, there will be a devastating impact on the historic preservation efforts of the WHS SHPO and THPOs.

Historic Preservation’s Impact:
According to the WHS information sheet 2024 Scorecard: Impact On Wisconsin, in 2024 alone, impacts on Wisconsin’s economic health included:
a projected 3,922 jobs created in construction related to the HTC programs,
$225 million invested in historic property rehabilitation,
$22 million awarded in historic tax credits,
255 buildings rehabilitated using the HTC programs.
Also, HTC projects are a source of affordable housing in communities across the State.

Here's How You Can Help:
We need your voice. Please contact your Federal Congressional Delegation and State Legislative Representatives and advocate with determination for the release of approved FY 2025 HPF funding and the restoration of HPF funding in the FY 2026 budget.

Thank you for your time and help at this crucial time.

06/05/2025

Wisconsin residents can support Historic Preservation Funding by contacting our 2 senators in Washington and our local legislator. Historic Preservation Fund began in 1976 and is NOT funded by taxpayers money but from off-shore oil and gas leases. We have so much to gain by making a call to Washington to keep this Historic Preservation Fund in the budget.
https://fox59.com/video/historic-preservation-federal-funding/10776210/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKu08hleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETE3Zng0MzdJQmdidkFvc2MyAR6MCgOUnIFzYN4WTu2WYRvd_-WbjJtQZLQ8QgzGg20HXDauYl0ND1UFqEeI5g_aem_mCptNBXCN97JYnZVqf9pXg

Historic Preservation Federal Funding

05/28/2025

How many Historic Preservation Commissions deal with murals being painted on historic brick/masonry? Maybe we need to get together and discuss this topic with Wisconsin Arts, Create Wisconsin, and other public arts advocates for the sake of preserving our historic structures.

Liubóv Szwako (aka Triangulador) and Henrique Nardi's mural on the Lauer Realty Group building must come down due to structural damage.

04/10/2025

REGISTER NOW! ...for the WAHPC Spring Conference, April 24 & 25 in Racine, Wisconsin. An exceptional opportunity to meet other historic preservation commissioners, hear presentations on topics related to historic preservation, ask questions of the staff in the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and consultants, and learn about and visit historic sites in historic Racine.
See our conference program here - - > https://www.wisconsinahpc.org/conference/conference-program/
REGISTER HERE - - >
https://www.wisconsinahpc.org/conference/

Wisconsin Association of Historic Preservation Commissions Our historic buildings and sites, our landmarks, give context to a shared sense of community. Here you will find information, advice, and examples that will inspire your community to gain distinction in the conservation and development of it...

02/27/2025

WAHPC SPRING Conference April 24-25 in Racine. Great speakers for HP Commissioners & Frank Lloyd Wright tour. Details inNewsletter