Historic Preservation and Rehabilitation Awards
About the Historic Preservation and Rehabilitation Awards
The Wisconsin Historical Society invites nominations of exemplary projects that have rehabilitated or preserved a part of the Wisconsin's historical, architectural, archaeological, or cultural heritage. Three awards will be given each year, two for historic rehabilitation and one for historic preservation.
Nominations are due March 10 of each year.
2026 Award Winner
City of Port Washington for their Long-Term Preservation of the Port Washington North Breakwater Light
2026 Award Winners
Budget under $2.5 Million: Eagle Bluff Light Station, Eagle Bluff Light Station Restoration, Fish Creek, WI
Budget over $2.5 Million: UW-Madison and the State of Wisconsin DOA, Lathrop Hall Rehabilitation, Madison, WI
General Requirements
All nominations for History Preservation or Restoration Awards must fit the following criteria:
- Property must be in Wisconsin
- Nominated work must have been done in the last two years and must be completed
- Property must be listed on or be determined eligible for the State Register of Historic Places or be listed in a certified municipal register of historic properties
Employees and members of the Board of Curators of the Wisconsin Historical Society are not eligible to receive awards.
Additionally, the Preservation and Restoration Awards have these specific requirements:
Eligibility for Historic Preservation Award
This award will recognize the best work in protecting a threatened historic property in Wisconsin. The historic property may be a building, structure, object, site, or district. Commendable community and individual efforts such as advocacy, fundraising, creation of a protective ordinance, physical stabilization, and repair will be recognized.
Historic Preservation Award Criteria
- The degree to which projects have overcome a significant, tangible threat to the historic resource (the type and degree of the threat to the property should be identified)
- The degree to which the project has successfully protected a historic resource from harm
- The degree to which efforts have been made to ensure the future protection of the property through fundraising, covenants, reuse, and rehabilitation plans or other measures
Eligibility for Historic Rehabilitation Awards
This award will recognize two Wisconsin rehabilitation projects each year. One category of award will be for projects with a total cost under $2.5 million and the other category will be for projects with a total cost over $2.5 million. Eligible projects should involve comprehensive work to restore a historic building, structure, object or site. Examples of eligible projects include the restoration of a historic house, commercial building, bridge, statue, a designed landscape, or a burial mound. Routine maintenance, such as painting or reroofing, is not considered restoration work for the purposes of this award.
Historic Rehabilitation Award Criteria
- The quality of rehabilitation, reconstruction of missing features, or conversion to new use
- Inclusion of strong elements of restoration of the form, features and character of a property
- If project includes the reconstruction of missing features, the work must be done accurately and sources documenting the property's historic appearance should be provided if available
Nominations must be submitted on the nomination form for the specific award.
In addition to the application form, please provide the following documents and photos:
- Description of the project in 500 words or less. Describe any special restoration or preservation techniques, research, or difficult problems that were overcome. If the property was threatened, identify the type and degree of the threat to the property. Note any special efforts or plans to ensure the future protection of the property.
- Four to ten color photographs or digital images showing the historic property before and after the project was completed. Digital images must be at least 300dpi and 480 by 600 pixels. No materials will be returned, and the Society reserves the right to use the images in publications, websites and databases.
- Copies of historic photographs of the property if available. Please cite the source of the photographs.
- If the property is not listed on the State or National Register, documentation showing the property is eligible for listing on the registers or that the property is listed on a certified municipal register.
- Other documentation, such as magazine or newspaper clippings, photographs or brochures, that supports or explains the achievements of the nominee.
Send applications to:
Wisconsin Historical Society
State Historic Preservation Office,
Attention: Historic Preservation Awards Committee
816 State Street
Madison, WI 53706
Awards are initially reviewed by a committee of judges appointed by the Society and then approved by the Executive Committee of the Board of Curators. The date and presentation of the award will be made at a time and location convenient for the recipient.
Historic Preservation Award Application Historic Rehabilitation Award Application
Have Questions?
We're here to help you get the information you need. Please reach out.
Email UsLast Updated: June 30, 2026
