WHRRD | Wisconsin Historical Society

Resource Description

Wisconsin Historical Records Repository Directory

WHRRD | Wisconsin Historical Society

Wisconsin Historical Records Repository Directory

In 2009, the Wisconsin Historical Records Advisory Board (WHRAB) created the Wisconsin Historical Records Repository Directory (WHRRD) as part of the Wisconsin Records Assessment Project (WRAP). If you do not see your organization listed, or if you would like to update your organization’s information, please contact WHRAB Program Assistant Brianna Krumwiede at brianna.krumwiede@wisconsinhistory.org

 

Alverno College Archives

Alverno College Archives maintains college records including manuscripts, photographs, microforms, audiotapes, videotapes, and digital materials. Their notable collections focus on the Research Center on Women (RCW), the Southeastern Wisconsin Information Technology Exchange (SWITCH), and Alverno’s curriculum.

Location: Milwaukee

Contact: archives@alverno.edu

 

Appleton Public Library

The Appleton Public Library serves are the resource library for the Outagamie Waupaca Library System (OWLS). The Appleton Public Library allows patrons to access their collections, attend programs, and utilize other services. They also share an online catalog with other OWLS libraries; this catalog lists more than 1.7 million items.

Location: Appleton

Contact: crortvedt@apl.org

 

Archdiocese of Milwaukee Archives

The Archdiocese of Milwaukee Archives collects, preserves, and provides access to the records and artifacts housed by the Church. Their mission is to promote an understanding of the history and activities of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

Location: Milwaukee

Contact: taylors@archmil.org

 

Arvid E. Miller Library and Museum

The Arvid E. Miller Memorial Library and Museum is the official repository for the archives of the Stockbridge Munsee Community. They preserve and provide access to objects and documents that date from Pre-Contact to Present. Their materials include books, manuscripts, letters, maps, microfilm, photographs, and records in other formats.

Location: Bowler

Contact: heather.bruegl@mohican-nsn.gov

 

Brown County Historical Society

The mission of the Brown County Historical Society is to “preserve, present, and share the heritage of Brown County through preservation activities, exhibitions, educational programs, and events.” They fulfill this mission by preserving historic buildings, conducting research, and providing access to the public. Their current projects focus on preservation, educational outreach, and making themselves accessible as a historical resource.

Location: Green Bay

Contact: chris@browncohistoricalsoc.org

 

Center for the Study of Upper Midwestern Cultures

The mission of the Center for the Study of Upper Midwestern Cultures (SCUMC) is to tell the stories of the people of the Upper-Midwest with an interdisciplinary focus on outreach and research. Their archives program supports this mission by preserving and providing access to oral histories, photographs, exhibits, and publications relating to the people of the Upper-Midwest.

Location: Madison

Contact: wep.csumc@wisc.edu

 

Cippewa Valley Museum

The mission of the Chippewa Valley Museum is to “connect people to our community and inspire curiosity by collecting, preserving, and sharing our region’s historical and cultural resources.”

Location: Eau Claire

Contact: info@cvmuseum.com

 

Circus World Museum

Circus World is an attraction featuring live circus performances, magic shows, movies, and historical exhibits. Circus World’s Robert L. Parkinson Library and Research Center is a research facility for circus history. Their collections document the history of the American circus from its inception in 1793 to the present day, and their collections include photographs, posters, manuscripts and artifacts. Frequent users include genealogists, authors, publishers, and circuses themselves. The library also houses a small collection of materials from Wild West shows and carnivals. The Wisconsin Historical Society owns Circus World and its collections; Circus World is independently managed by the Circus World Museum Foundation.

Location: Baraboo

Contact: ringmaster@circusworldbaraboo.org

 

Colonel Robert H. Morse Library, Beloit College

The Colonel Robert H. Morse Library houses original materials for research from the Civil War; personal diaries; letters of faculty, presidents and alumni; and the history of Beloit College. Additionally, most of the materials in the College Archives are searchable through Archives Space.

Location: Beloit

Contact: burwellf@beloit.edu

 

Dane County Historical Society, Otto Schroeder Records Center

The mission of the Dane County Historical Society is to preserve Dane County history. The Otto Schroeder Records Center aids in this mission by collecting and preserving written published and unpublished materials, as well as other primary and secondary source materials. The records center also supports several online resources including a digitized collection of Madison Central High School’s yearbooks, Madison Central High School’s student newsletter, and a digitized 1873 Dane County Plat Map.

Location: Madison

Contact: danecountyhistory@gmail.com

 

Door County Maritime Museum

The Door County Maritime Museum (DCMM) showcases the area’s maritime history through various galleries, classes, programs, and more. 

Location: Sturgeon Bay

Contact: kosgood@dcmm.org

 

Dunn County Historical Society, Russel J. Rassbach Heritage Museum

The Rassbach Museum showcases the history of Dunn County from early mound builders to the communities of today. Their Fulton’s Workshop is an interactive space, and museum exhibits include Dunn County in the Civil War, On the Farm, Victorian Rooms, and more. Additionally, their facilities include Headquarters for Dunn County Genealogical Society, the Ranney Family Research Library, and more.

Location: Menomonie

Contact: dchs@dunnhistory.org

  

Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture Museum

The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Aviation Museum houses aviation related displays and galleries. They showcase a collection of more than 200 historic airplanes along with displays including the Eagle Hangar that pays tribute to World War II aviation and veterans. They also maintain the KidVenture Gallery, which features 16 hands-on exhibits, a scenic overlook from Tower of Flight, and a half-scale model of an F-22.

Location: Oshkosh

Contact: membership@eaa.org

 

Golda Meir Library, UW-Milwaukee

The Golda Meir Library at UW-Milwaukee strives to promote student success, research excellence, and community engagement. They provide critical resources and services including information literacy instruction, research consultations, and spaces that support teaching and learning. They promote research by acquiring, curating, and preserving scholarship and providing access to resources. The library also contains the Area Research Center (ARC) for Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Sheboygan, Washington, and Waukesha counties.

Location: Milwaukee

Contact: askarch@uwm.edu

 

Green Bay Diocese

The Green Bay Diocese Archives collects, preserves, and provides access to records relating to the Diocese and the Catholic community is Northeast Wisconsin. The Archives serves Diocese administration and parishes as well as individual researchers. Services include genealogy and parish research.

Location: Green Bay

Contact: archives@gbdioc.org

 

Jewish Museum Milwaukee Archives

The Jewish Museum Milwaukee Archives houses records relating to Milwaukee’s Jewish community, Milwaukee’s synagogues, and the Milwaukee Jewish Federation.

Location: Milwaukee

Contact: archives@jewishmuseummilwaukee.org

  

Kenosha Public Library

The Kenosha Public Library (KPL) serves the community of the city and county of Kenosha as the resources library for the Kenosha County Library System. The library houses a wide variety of local history resources including newspapers, city directories, school yearbooks, and more.

Location: Kenosha

Contact: bbrattin@mykpl.info

 

La Crosse Public Library Archives

The La Crosse Public Library Archives is focused on the preservation of the local history of La Crosse. They preserve, provide access to, and publicize the existence of resources including genealogical collections, City of La Crosse public records, and other resources.

Location: La Crosse

Contact: adoering@lacrosselibrary.org

 

Lawrence University Archives

The Lawrence University Archives helps fulfil the mission of Lawrence University by supporting the research of students, faculty, and other researchers. They also preserve and provide access to records documenting the history of Lawrence University and act as the official repository for University records.

Location: Appleton

Contact: archives@lawrence.edu

 

Marathon County Historical Society

The Marathon County Historical Society preserves and provides access to records relating to the community of Marathon County. They also promote these records through education, research, and programming.

Location: Wausau

Contact: info@marathoncountyhistory.org

 

Marquette University Special Collections and Archives

The Marquette University Special Collections and Archives preserves and provides access to University records with long term administrative, legal, or historical value. These records include collections such as student dissertations and theses, programs of concerts and other events, a photographic collection, and an audio/visual collection, which include a number of football and basketball recordings.

Location: Milwaukee

Contact: Amy.Cary@marquette.edu

 

McMillan Memorial Library

The McMillan Memorial Library preserves and provides access to a collection of books, magazines, audiobooks, and video recordings, as well as other resources through the South Central Library System. The Library also offers programming, a coffeehouse, a makerspace, and other services.

Location: Wisconsin Rapids

Contact: ask@mcmillanlibrary.org

 

 Milwaukee Art Museum- George Peckham Miller Art Research Library

The Milwaukee Art Museum Research Center houses resources relating to the Milwaukee Art Museum’s collections including books, catalogs, magazines, and the Brooks Stevens archive.  

Location: Milwaukee

Contact: curatorial@mam.org

 

Milwaukee County Historical Society

The Milwaukee County Historical Society serves as the repository for Milwaukee County records. They house the museum, collection storage, and other resources. They also offer programs, exhibits, and other services to engage their audience in the history of Milwaukee.

Location: Milwaukee

Contact: mam@mam.org

 

Milwaukee Public Library

The Milwaukee Public Library Archives houses the City of Milwaukee Archives, the Local History Manuscript Collections, the Milwaukee Road Archives, and the Wisconsin Architectural Archive.

Location: Milwaukee

Contact: (414) 286-3000

 

Monroe County Historical Society

The mission of the Monroe County Historical Society is to preserve, advance, and make assessible the history of the history of Monroe County.

Location: Sparta

Contact: MCLHR@centurytel.net

 

Mount Mary University Library

Mount Mary Archives and Special Collections Department collects, preserves, and provides access to records relating to the University. Their collections include student publications, student thesis, rare books, and records of university activities.

Location: Milwaukee

Contact: mmu-library@mtmary.edu

 

Nelis R. Kampenga Archives, UW-Stevens Point

The Nelis R. Kampenga Archives houses three major collections: university records, Portage County Historical Society records, and the Wisconsin Historical Society Area Research Center (ARC) collection. The ARC serves Adams, Juneau, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Portage, Waupaca, Waushara, and Wood counties.

Location: Stevens Point

Contact: archives@uwsp.edu

 

Neville Public Library

The Neville Public Library collects and preserves records and artifacts relating to Northeast Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan; they also engage their community through exhibits and programming. Their collections include artifacts, art, photographs, and more.  

Location: Green Bay

Contact: (920) 448-4460

 

Northern Great Lakes History Center and Archives

The Norther Great Lakes History Center and Archives promotes research, programming, and education and serves as the Area Research Center for Ashland, Bayfield, Forest, Iron, Oneida, Price, Sawyer, and Vilas counties.

Location: Ashland

Contact: (715) 685-2647

 

Oneida Cultural Heritage Department

The Oneida Cultural Heritage Department preserves and interprets Oneida teachings, customs, and history. They preserve and provide access to collections including artifacts, documents, audio and visual materials, and more including language materials.

Location: Green Bay

Contact: 496-5395

 

Oshkosh Public Museum

The Oshkosh Public Museum preserves materials relating to the history and heritage of the Oshkosh region. These materials include photographs, letters, diaries, visual recordings, and other records. The museum also presents this history through permanent and temporary exhibits and programs.

Location: Oshkosh

Contact: scross@ci.oshkosh.wi.us

 

Outagamie Public Museum

The Outagamie Public Museum is an interdisciplinary museum. Their collection contains a variety of natural and local history artifacts and the research library has a variety of materials on the history of New London.

Location: New London

Contact: museum@newlondonwi.org

 

Racine Heritage Museum

The mission of the Racine Heritage Museum is to preserve and present the diverse history of Racine County.

Location: Racine

Contact: inquire@racineheritagemuseum.org

 

Recollection Wisconsin 

Recollection Wisconsin brings together digital cultural heritage resources from Wisconsin libraries, archives, museums and historical societies and shares them with the world in partnership with the Digital Public Library of America.

Contact: info@recollectionwisconsin.org

 

Ripon College Archives

The mission of the Ripon College Archives is to preserve the history of Ripon College. Their collection includes materials such as yearbooks, photographs, manuscripts, and other materials and publications.

Location: Ripon

Contact: prellwitza@ripon.edu

 

Rock County Historical Society

The Rock County Historical Society Archives houses records relating to Rock County including photographs, documents, maps, letters, yearbooks, and more. The archives is also home to the Rock County Genealogical Society.

Location: Janesville

Contact: tmaahs@rchs.us

 

St. Norbert College Library 

St. Norbert College Library provides services to students, faculty, and others to promote learning, collaboration, and innovation.

Location: De Pere

Contact: kristin.vogel@snc.edu

 

Sheboygan County Historical Research Center

The mission of the Sheboygan County Historical Research Center is to collect, preserve, and make accessible the records of Sheboygan County.

Location: Sheboygan Falls

Contact: schrc@att.net

 

T. B. Scott Free Library

The mission of the T. B. Scott Free Library is to promote civic engagement, support learning, and ensure access. The Library’s Genealogy & Local History Room preserves and provides access to materials including city directories, school yearbooks, indexed obituaries, the North Pines Genealogy Group’s collection, and other local records.

Location: Merrill

Contact: director@tbscottlibrary.org

 

UW-Eau Claire William D. McIntyre Library and Special Collections, Archives, and Area Research Center

The UW-Eau Claire William D. McIntyre Library supports student success by making research materials accessible and proving research and other services. Additionally, the Special Collections and Archives Department of McIntyre Library collects records of the UW-Eau Claire, and the Area Research Center (ARC) collects and preserves records pertaining to Buffalo, Chippewa, Clark, Eau Claire, Rusk and Taylor counties.

Location: Eau Claire

Contact William D. McIntyre Library: markgrjs@uwec.edu

Contact Special Collections, Archives, and ARC: kockseng@uwec.edu

 

UW-Green Bay Cofrin Library, University Archives and Area Research Center

UW-Green Bay’s Cofrin Library advances the UW-Green Bay mission of education, research, and service by providing services and resources to meet the needs of its community and serving as an intellectual and cultural asset for both the University and Northeast Wisconsin. The library also houses the university archives and Area Research Center (ARC), which has original materials pertaining to Northeastern Wisconsin dating from the 1600s to the present covering a variety of topics including the Civil War, immigration, suffrage, World War II, politics, and businesses. The collections include diaries, letters, memoirs, photos, maps, oral histories, court records, citizenship papers, school records and more. The ARC serves Brown, Calumet, Door, Florence, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Outagamie, and Shawano counties.

Location: Green Bay

Contact Cofrin Library: refdesk@uwgb.edu

Contact University Archives and ARC: andersod@uwgb.edu

 

UW-La Crosse Murphy Library, Special Collections, Archives, and ARC

The Murphy Library supports the students and faculty of UW-La Crosse by providing resources and support to promote research, teaching, and learning. The library also houses the special collections, archives, and Area Research Center (ARC). UW-La Crosse Special Collections collects, preserves, and provides access to materials including rare books, regional and Wisconsin history books, maps, oral history recordings and transcripts, university archives, and a photograph collection. The ARC holds archival records of local governmental bodies and personal papers of people and businesses from Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Trempealeau, and Vernon counties.

Location: La Crosse

Contact Murphy Library: refemail@uwlax.edu

Contact ARC: pbeck@uwlax.edu

 

UW-Oshkosh Forrest R. Polk Library, Archives and Area Research Center

The UW-Oshkosh Forrest R. Polk Library supports the needs of its students through its online, local, and system-wide collections. Online resources include full-text journals and other resources. Furthermore, student have access to materials across the UW System through interlibrary loan. The library also houses University Archives and an Area Research Center (ARC). The combined mission of the UW-Oshkosh Archives and ARC is to collect, preserve, and provide access to records of historical significance to the members of the university and public community. The ARC serves Dodge, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Marquette, and Winnebago counties. The University Archives serves the needs of UW-Oshkosh, permanently storing historically significant campus records and providing reference services for those records to the university and greater community. The University Archives' collections include records of the President/Chancellors from Albee to Guiles; copies of the Advance and Advance Titan newspapers; a complete run of the Quiver yearbooks; records of student and faculty government; and numerous other series.

 Location: Oshkosh

Contact Forrest R. Polk Library: neises@usosh.edu

Contact Archives and ARC: ranger@uwosh.edu

 

UW-Parkside Archives

The University of Wisconsin-Parkside Archives and Area Research Center (ARC) collects a variety of regional records, makes university records accessible, and facilitates the research needs of the university. Several of their notable collections include the Vincent F. Ruffolo collection of Nash and AMC materials, the Irving Wallace Collection, the David Kherdian collection, and the John Sullivan collection of aviation materials. The ARC serves Kenosha and Racine counties. 

Location: Parkside

Contact: archives@uwp.edu

 

UW-Platteville Elton S. Karrmann Library, Southwest Wisconsin Archives

The Elton S. Karrmann Library preserves information on the University of Wisconsin-Platteville campus. Their collections include books, government publications, periodicals, newspapers, and other serial titles. Additionally, the library offers electronic books, ejournals and databases, as well as interlibrary loan. The Southwest Wisconsin Archives, which are housed by the library, feature the UW-Platteville University Archives, the Southwest Wisconsin Collection, and the Area Research Center (ARC). The University Archives houses documents relating to the university from 1839-present; the Southwest Wisconsin Collection contains materials including family records and county histories; and the ARC serves Crawford, Grant, Green, Iowa, Lafayette, and Richland counties.

Location: Platteville

Contact: Elton S. Karrmann Library: referece@uwplatt.edu

Contact: Southwest Wisconsin Archives: swwis@uwplatt.edu

 

UW-River Falls Chalmer Davee Library, University Archives and Area Research Center

The UW-River Falls Chalmer Davee Library focuses on providing resources that support the teaching, learning, and research efforts of students, faculty, and others. The library also houses the University Archives and Area Research Center (ARC), which collects, preserves, and provides access to records that document the history, development, and activities of the University and Northwestern Wisconsin. The ARC serves Burnett, Pierce, Polk, and St. Croix counties.

Location: River Falls

Contact Chalmer Davee Library: Maureen.olle-lajoie@uwrf.edu

Contact University Archives and ARC: morgan.paavola@uwrf.edu

 

UW-Stout Robert S. Swanson Learning Center and Archives and Area Research Center

The mission of the Robert S. Swanson Learning center is to support the success of students and faculty through collaborating with diverse campus and regional communities, innovating based on community needs, and providing professional service. The library is also home to the University Archives and Area Research Center (ARC). The archives collects and preserves the records of UW-Stout and its predecessors; the ARC serves Dunn, Barron, and Pepin counties.

Location: Stout 

Contact Robert S. Swanson Learning Center: reference@uwstout.edu

Contact Archives and ARC: archives@uwstout.edu

 

UW-Superior Jim Dan Hill Library, Area Research Center

The mission of the UW-Superior Jim Dan Hill Library is to "[support] the mission of the University of Wisconsin-Superior liberal arts mission by providing services and resources for research, teaching, and professional development." The library also houses the Area Research Center (ARC) serving Washburn and Douglas Counties. 

Location: Superior

Contact Jim Dan Hill Library: mbartle2@uwsuper.edu

Contact ARC: archives@uwsuper.edu

 

UW-Whitewater Harold Andersen Library and Archives and Area Research Center

UW-Whitewater’s Harold Andersen Library’s collections and information services support the mission of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. The library provides access to a large collection including books, ebooks, journals, and other resources. The library also houses the regions Area Research Center (ARC), serving Jefferson, Rock, and Walworth Counties.

Location: Whitewater

Contact Harold Andersen Library: waelchlp@uww.edu

Contact Archives and ARC: archives@uww.edu

 

Washington County Historical Society

The mission of the Washington County Historical Society Research Center and Archives is to “collect, preserve, and make accessible materials that concern the history of Washington County and the people who have made it home.”

Location: West Bend

Contact: research@historyisfun.com

 

Waukesha County Historical Society

The mission of the Waukesha County Historical Society is to preserve and share the history of the Waukesha County community. Their collection includes artifacts and a wide variety of documents.

Location: Waukesha

Contact: info@wchsm.org

 

 Wisconsin Black Historical Society

 The mission of the Wisconsin Black Historical Society is to preserve the heritage of African descent in Wisconsin. They serve as a resource center and collect, preserve, and exhibit materials relating to this heritage. 

Location: Milwaukee

Contact: info@wbhsm.org

 

Wisconsin Historical Society

The mission of the Wisconsin Historical Society is to collect, preserve, provide access to, and otherwise share the history of Wisconsin.

Location: Madison

Contact: askarchives@wisconsinhistory.org

 

 Wisconsin Maritime Museum

The Wisconsin Maritime Museum collects and preserves artifacts and records relating to the maritime history of Wisconsin in the Great Lakes region. Using these records, they facilitate research, develop exhibits, and create programs for the public.

Location: Manitowoc

Contact: museum@wisconsinmaritime.org

 

Wisconsin Veterans Museum

The Wisconsin Veterans Museum preserves and exhibits the role of Wisconsin veterans in the United States’ military.

Location: Madison

Contact: veterans.museum@dva.wisconsin.gov

 

Learn More

 

Have Questions?

For more information please contact WHRAB Program Assistant, Brianna Krumwiede, by email below:

brianna.krumwiede@wisconsinhistory.org