Join us! Saving Wisconsin’s Historic Theatres: A Taliesin Workshop

Do you own an historic theatre in Wisconsin? Are you a member of a community development team? Or a citizen committed to preserving local heritage? We have the workshop for you!

We’re holding an exciting two-day workshop at Taliesin, September 17-18. Already sold? You can register here or via the button below. For the unconvinced, please keep reading!

Saving Wisconsin’s Historic Theatres

During the September workshop, people from Wisconsin and beyond will gather to discuss the challenges and successes facing the state’s historic theatres. Created by the Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation and the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, the workshop features a rich and varied array of preservation topics, with a focus on historic theatres. Workshop attendees will also have the opportunity to network and tour the Taliesin grounds (for free!) with a special look at ongoing restoration.

Taliesin Hillside

Al Ringling Theater

Mabel Tainter Theater

Workshop Features

• Stories from the front: struggles and success of 8 Wisconsin theatres

• Deep dive on historic restoration projects and turning these structures into an economic engine

• How to execute a revitalization plan for your local theater or Main Street project

• Preservation news from around the country

• How to research, document, and protect a historic building (Hint: Lasers!)

• Ideas for funding preservation projects

• ·Methods for restoring historic art glass, wall paintings, marquees, and lighting

• Choosing the right designers and contractors

• Q & A discussion with experts

Thank you to our supporting partners.
Click for more information on the workshop.

The Bond Company LLC

Formerly Spray-O-Bond

TechRender LLC

Laser Scanning and Documentation

ECS Midwest LLC

Geotechnical and environmental Consulting

Heritage Consulting Group

Historic building consulting and development

Taliesin Wisconsin

Preservation at Taliesin

What Does Historic Designation Mean in Wisconsin? Explaining the Three Levels

 There are three levels of historic designation in Wisconsin:

1. Federal

2. State

3. Local

This article will explain what each designation means for a property and the differences between them.

The National Historic Preservation Act & The National Register of Historic Places

In 1966, The National Historic Preservation Act was passed by the Federal government effectively establishing the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) as the official federal list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects that are worthy of preservation.

It also required each state to establish a preservation plan and an office for historic preservation, called the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). National designation as a historic property is an honorific. The intent of the act was, and is, to affirm historic preservation as a public good.

The Act does not, however, create any limitations on private property ownership. Federal agencies, are obligated by the Act to identify, evaluate, and nominate to the NRHP any properties they deem eligible. In addition, any properties, including those privately owned, that receive Federal funding or involve Federal action or approval, are required to undergo a review intended to protect historic features, called a Section 106 Review, This review only encourages historic consideration and does not require it.

Wisconsin’s State Historic Preservation Office

Wisconsin’s State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) reviews all applications to the National Register (NRHP). This office is a resource for Wisconsin citizens to apply for the NRHP and will assist in the process.

 The SHPO will advise if the application is deemed eligible for the NRHP. If so, they will forward the application to the National Park Service (NPS), which administers the NRHP. Rarely will an application approved by the Wisconsin SHPO be denied by the NPS. Additionally, once the Wisconsin SHPO deems a property eligible, it is automatically considered eligible for the State Designation.

The State Register of Historic Places

The Wisconsin SHPO maintains the State Register of Historic Places. Being listed on the State Register of Historic Places does not place any restrictions on property owners. More information can be found at the SHPO website: “How to Get a State or National Historic Designation for Your Building.”

National Historic Landmark Status

In addition to the National Register of Historic Places, properties that are deemed having exceptional national significance may be listed as a National Historic Landmark (NHL). This is a separate process from a National Register nomination and is solely a federal process through the National Park Service. As of May 2021, there are currently 44 Wisconsin properties listed as NHLs compared to over 2,500 Wisconsin property listings in the NRHP.

Historic Preservation Commissions

On the local level, a municipal Historic Preservation Commission (or similar name), may review local properties for historic designation. Not every municipality will have a Historic Preservation Commission, depending on local ordinances. Restrictions on property, if locally designated as historic, will also vary by ordinance. Only a local designation, depending on the local law, could restrict property ownership. Typically, local governments with preservation ordinances confer the highest degree of protection to historic properties, as a review board will consider any proposed alterations to the property.

Historic Tax Credit Program

Two separate programs, administered by the Internal Revenue Service and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, are available to Federal and State designated properties, called the Historic Tax Credit Program. This is not available to properties that are only designated on a local register. This program offers a 20% Federal Tax Credit and a 20% State Tax Credit to income-producing properties.

Work to rehabilitate a historically designated building can be deducted as a tax credit. All work must meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and the property must be held by the owner for at least five years. Other requirements apply. While the Wisconsin SHPO will certify that rehabilitation work meets the Standards, they do not administer the tax credits. Further information may be found here: Tax Credits for Historic Income-Producing Buildings.

Please reach out to the Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation or the SHPO if you have further questions. We are here to help!

Contact House Representatives to Strengthen Historic Tax Credits

Urge your House Representative to cosponsor Historic Tax Credit improvement legislation!

Reprinted from National Trust for Historic Preservation Newsletter | April 5, 2021

On April 1, Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Darin LaHood (R-IL) introduced a new version of the Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act (HTC-GO) in the House of Representatives. The legislation includes temporary tax provisions to bring relief to projects impacted by the pandemic, and contains permanent provisions that add value to the federal Historic Tax Credit (HTC), improve access to the credit, and increase investment in smaller rehabilitation projects. The introduction of companion legislation in the Senate is expected soon.

The HTC is a proven tax incentive for both revitalizing historic community assets and supporting economic development and recovery. Please contact your House Representative and encourage them to cosponsor the HTC-GO.

What’s in the new version of the HTC-GO legislation?

Temporary Provisions

Developers and building owners are experiencing challenges in rehabbing historic buildings. The financial markets have slowed to a crawl, making it difficult for projects to access capital and stalling complex historic real estate developments. The increased volatility in the market and project risk is forcing banking institutions to decrease their loan frequency and the overall amount while tightening underwriting requirements. Increases in material and construction costs and an uncertain tenant market have further impacted potential developments. As a result, many projects have stalled or are no longer feasible.

The HTC-GO legislation temporarily increases the rehabilitation credit (IRC § 47) to address projects impacted by the pandemic. 

• This provision increases the HTC percentage from 20% to 30% for 2020 through 2024. 

• The credit percentage is phased down to 26% in 2025, 23% in 2026, and returns to 20% in 2027 and thereafter. 

Permanent Provisions

The following provisions would make important changes to the HTC to encourage more building reuse and redevelopment nationwide and would be particularly impactful for small, midsize, and rural communities. These provisions would not only make the credit easier to use and more historic properties eligible, but it would also enhance the value of the HTC and make the credit easier to use to create affordable housing. 

• Increases the credit from 20% to 30% for projects with less than $2.5 million in qualified rehabilitation expenses, making it easier to complete small rehabilitation projects. 

• Lowers the substantial rehabilitation threshold, making more buildings eligible to use the HTC.

• Eliminates the requirement that the value of the HTC must be deducted from a building’s basis (property’s value for tax purposes), increasing the value of the HTC and making it easier to pair with the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit.

• Makes the HTC easier to use by nonprofits for community health centers, local arts centers, affordable housing, homeless services, and others by eliminating IRS restrictions that make it challenging to partner with developers.

To get a fact sheet about HTC and HTC-GO, visit the Preservation Leadership Forum's Resource Library. 

Trust News: SHPO Historic Tax Credits Workshop

On March 26, the Wisconsin State Historic Preservation Office held a virtual workshop for Historic Tax Credits. The following announced were issued during the event:

• 2021 WAHPC Virtual Spring Conference will be held virtually via Zoom April 23-24. Registration and full agenda on the WAHPC website

• The US Congress is considering a temporary increase in the federal tax credit from 20% to 30%

• A new museum for the Wisconsin Historical Society is moving forward

Liz Petrella from the National Park Service presented information about preparing a successful Federal Historic Tax Credit Application, emphasizing that, for now, all documents must be submitted as hard copies in duplicate. However, the NPS is planning to transition to electronic submissions in the future. The National Archives will not be accepting hard copy submissions after December 31, 2022.

Marc Zettler, also a Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation Board Member, gave a detailed presentation on how to properly conduct a window survey for a historic property, including a brief history of window types and glazing in the United States, how to evaluate existing conditions, the importance of photographic documentation, and how to consider repairs versus replacement within the Secretary of Interior standards.

The Trust works in tandem with the Wisconsin State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and supports their efforts and events like this workshop. With a vast array of resources and supporting personnel, the SHPO is considered be the primary resource for preservation efforts in the state. Visit the SHPO online for more details.

The Annual Report on the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program is here!

In March, the National Park Service released the Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2020 summarizing the year’s activity across the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program. The 20% Federal tax credit, coupled with Wisconsin’s 20% State historic tax credit, helps property owners rehabilitate historic buildings.

Governor’s Mansion Inn and Café. Madison, WI

Photo: David Waugh

The report includes a summary of select projects across the nation, including a showcase of the revitalized Governor’s Mansion Inn and Café in Madison, Wisconsin.

According to the report, Wisconsin approved 34 new projects in 2020 (based on approved Part 1 applications) and 22 project completions worth over $220 million in Federal rehabilitation tax credits. Wisconsin is 13th in the nation in the value of tax credits since 2016, an impressive standing when considering the size of our state. In addition to preserving historic places, preservation generates jobs and economic activity throughout Wisconsin.

Download the report below to read the state-by-state project activity summary highlighting estimated qualified rehabilitation expenditures and five year cumulative totals..

The Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program, administered by the National Park Service in partnership with the State Historic Preservation Offices, is the nation’s most effective program to promote historic preservation and community revitalization through historic rehabilitation.

WTHP meet-up at the historic Pabst Brewery

Blue Ribbon Hall at Best place. Matt Jarosz talks about the Historic Tax Credit program. 

The cavernous speakeasy on the lower level of Best Place.

The Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation held a social gathering at Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery on Tuesday. About 40 people came to drink beer, meet new board members, learn about Wisconsin's Historic Tax Credit program, and have a tour of unfinished areas of the massive building with the Jim Haertel, the mastermind behind the rehabilitation. 

Our new President, Jason Tish talked about recent activities. Board Member, and professor of Architecture and Urban Planning at UWM presented some findings from a recent statewide study of the state Historic Tax Credit program.

Then we all took a tour of some dark and dirty areas of the 1880 building, part of the sprawling former Pabst Brewery complex. 

Jim Haertel and his team offer great "Beer History Tours" on a regular schedule.  Best Place (named for brewery founder Jacob Best, the brewery was later purchased by Frederick Pabst), is a historic rehabilitation success story that was financed in large part with the state and federal Historic Tax Credit programs. Wisconsin recently increased the state credit from 5% to 20% of qualified rehabilitation expenditures. Haertel says the project would likely not have happened without the program. Now, Best Place is positioned to be a significant component in a complex of publicly accessible venues closely associated with Milwaukee's important brewing heritage. 

WTHP Meets for Mentoring Session with Michigan Historic Preservation Network

L-R - Matt Jarosz, Sarah Zaske, Annemarie Sawkins, Jason Tish, Anna-Marie Opgenorth, Nancy Finegood, Mark Ernst, Gene Hackbarth, Janet Kreger.

The board of Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation (WTHP) was recently awarded a grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Peter H. Brink Leadership Fund.   The grant funded a two-day mentoring session with the Michigan Historic Preservation Network. Michigan's statewide preservation advocacy group is a mature organization that offers a wide range of programming.  Nancy Finegood, MHPN Executive Director, and Janet Kreger, founding member and super-volunteer, traveled to Milwaukee’s School of Architecture and Urban Planning September 5-6 to offer ideas and insights on successful advocacy and programming.

Discussion focused on MPHN’s programming, staffing, governance, and communications.  MHPN also advised the WTHP board on strategies to establish work plans and expand long-term goals.  The board came away from the session with renewed energy and enthusiasm. The WTHP board resolved to become a lighter and more focused organization advocating for statewide polices that encourage conservation of Wisconsin's historic places, and supporting local preservation groups throughout the state.

Update: City of Wausau to Save Historic Stone's Building Center

The following is an exciting update from BizJournals.com outlining the plans for the historic Stone's Building Center in Wausau, WI.

The Wausau City Council has approved a plan to spend $80,000 to dismantle, move and store the historic Stone's Building Center building, a 124-year-old structure that was the first in the city to be powered by electricity.

Wisconsin’s Historic Post Offices

Recently, the National Trust for Historic Preservation unveiled its annual list of “11 Most Endangered Places.” This diverse list highlights threatened historic resources located throughout the United States. One entry in particular, Historic Post Office Buildings, caught my attention.

It is no secret that the U.S. Postal Service has faced many challenges in recent years. In order to cut costs, the USPS proposed closing around 4,000 post offices nationwide, including many in Wisconsin. The prospect of closures, coupled with deferred maintenance on many functioning post offices, leaves many of these neighborhood mainstays facing an uncertain future. (Visit SaveThePostOffice.com for more information.)

According to the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s website:

Local post office buildings have traditionally played an essential role in the lives of millions of Americans. Many are architecturally distinctive, prominently located, and cherished as civic icons in communities across the country. Unless the U.S. Postal Service establishes a clear, consistent process that follows federal preservation law when considering disposal of these buildings, a significant part of the nation’s architectural heritage will be at risk.

Please consider nominating a threatened post office in your community to the Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation’s 2012 “Ten Places to Save List.” More information about the program, including a link to the nomination form, can be found on the Wisconsin Trust’s website www.wipreservation.org.

Historic Preservation Awards | Nomination Form

The Wisconsin Historical Society invites nominations of exemplary projects that have restored or preserved a part of the Wisconsin's historical, architectural, archaeological or cultural heritage. Two awards will be given each year, one for historic restoration and one for historic preservation.

Eligibility

• 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

Please complete the form below or download this PDF and mail to the address at the bottom of this page.

Please attach the following and email to info@wipreservation.org.

1. Description of the project in 500 words or less. Describe any special restoration or preservation techniques, research or difficult problems that were overcome. If 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. [formbuilder:2]

2. Please email four to ten color slides or digital images showing the historic property before and after the project was completed to info@wipreservation.org. Digital images must be at least 300dpi and 480X600 pixels. No materials will be returned and we reserve the right to use the images in publications, web sites and databases.

3. Copies of historic photographs of property if available can also be emailed to info@wipreservation.org. Please site the source of the photographs. If the property is not listed on the State or National Register, attach documentation showing property was determined eligible for listing on the Registers by the Wisconsin Historical Society, or that the property is listed on a certified municipal register.

4. If neither of these is the case, but you believe the property is eligible for listing on the State or National Register, please complete and attach a National Register Questionnaire (available here).

5. Other documentation, such as magazine or newspaper clippings, photographs or brochures that support or explain the achievements of the nominee.

Nomination form and supporting material can be mailed to:

Historic Preservation and Restoration Awards Committee Division of Historic Preservation - Public History Wisconsin Historical Society, 816 State St. Madison, WI 53706