WHAT QUALIFIES AS A HISTORICAL MARKER
SITE?
When a person or a group wants a site to be
recognized with a historical marker, they must complete a Wisconsin
Historical Marker Application from the Wisconsin State Historical
Society. The application asks many questions about the site. The
applicants must say why the marker site is important to Wisconsin's
history. The marker subject must be thoroughly researched. The
applicants answer questions like:
(1) Who was associated with the marker
subject? When were they born and when did they die? What important
things happened in their lives?
(2) What significant events occurred there?
What people were there?
(3) When did the significant marker subject
take place?
(4) Where did the marker subject events
occur?
(5) Why is this subject important or
significant? What influence did the marker event have on the country,
Wisconsin, or the local community?
All marker sites must meet one of the
following Criteria of Significance in order to be eligible:
1. Listed in the State Register of Historic
Places.
2. Associated with events that have made a
significant contribution to history.
3. Associated with the lives of person (no
longer living) who has made a significant contribution to history and
culture.
4. Showing the distinct characteristics of
a style of architecture or master artist.
5. A place where important information
about prehistory or history can be discovered.
6. Associated with ethnic groups who have
made significant contributions to history.
7. Showing a significant aspect of the
physical or natural history of the earth.
8. A representation of a popular story or
myth that is significant to history and culture.