Tricia Canady

Tricia Canaday serves as Wisconsin’s State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), where she leads the State Historic Preservation Office and oversees a team responsible for documenting and preserving historic places throughout the state. 

Canaday attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and received a bachelor’s degree in American history, a master’s degree in library and information studies and a master’s degree in urban and regional planning. She is also a graduate of the American Association of State and Local History (AASLH) History Leadership Program.

She has deep understanding of both federal and state preservation policy, previously serving as the Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer and SHPO director for Idaho. Canaday also previously served as an outreach historian, architectural historian and historic preservation planner in Idaho prior to her appointment with the Wisconsin Historical Society.

Canaday is the recipient of the Western Museums Association Impact Award for her work with Idaho’s Native Nations, and the Preservation Idaho Distinguished Preservationist Award.