WHO DECIDES A MARKER CAN BE CREATED?

The Wisconsin Historical Markers Program is part of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. A coordinator helps manage the program and helps anyone wanting to know more about historical markers.

A person or group of people can recommend that a new marker be put up by filling out the Wisconsin Historical Markers Application form. The form is several pages long and asks questions like ---

What will be the name of the site?

Where will it be located?

What type and size of marker should be put at the site?

Who is going to pay for the marker?

Who is going to take care of the marker and the marker site?

Why is this site significant? All facts about the marker site must be documented to make sure the site is significant enough to become an official state marker. A list of the references used to document the history of the marker subject must be included.

What should the marker text say? (150 words for large marker, 80 words for medium, and 40 words for a small marker)

The completed application is sent to the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. The Historical Markers Program Coordinator reviews the application. New applications are reviewed every three months by historians, archaeologists, preservationists and other professionals at the State Historical Society. Sometimes experts are consulted and more information is gathered.

The process of completing the forms, finalizing the text and ordering the marker sometimes takes twelve months!