ACHP Considers Modification of Section 106 Regulations

As recently published in the Unified Agenda, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) is considering modification of regulations that govern implementation of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

Stay tuned to the ACHP News for additional updates from the ACHP.

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Addressed to the Council Members of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation:

The Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation, a statewide nonprofit organization advocating for our state’s historic places, registers its objection to the proposed revisions to the Section 106 regulations under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). Since the enactment of NHPA 60 years ago, Section 106 has addressed the federal government’s responsibility to gather input from those outside of federal agencies to help ensure the preservation of our nation’s history. We concur with the National Trust’s opinion that if the revisions are implemented, they would dramatically diminish the effectiveness of the NHPA and the current legal protections for historic and cultural places.

Under the current regulations, the Wisconsin State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), our state’s Tribes and Tribal preservation offices, our local preservation groups and historic preservation commissions, our local units of government, as well as the citizens of Wisconsin, play a vital role in helping federal agencies identify places important to the history of our State from the beginning of human habitation.

Furthermore, our SHPO and other preservation groups have a record of collaboration with federal agencies to achieve successful outcomes to projects currently subject to Section 106 consultation. Minimizing or eliminating the roles of these agencies and private individuals in the consultation process may lead to the irreplaceable loss of our cumulative history. '

As stated in the National Historic Preservation Act: “The preservation of this irreplaceable heritage is in the public interest so that its vital legacy of cultural, educational, aesthetic, inspirational, economic, and energy benefits will be maintained and enriched for future generations of Americans.”

The Wisconsin Trust urges Advisory Council members to vote no to the proposed revisions and to continue working with preservation partners from across the country on seeking improvements to Section 106 regulations.

Nomination details can be viewed at HUD’s award website.

Excerpt: Preserving Milwaukee History One Laser Scan at a Time

Matt Jarosz, Trust Advisor and Director of UW-Milwaukee’s Historic Preservation Institute is using low-cost scans to preserve buildings before demolition.

Excerpt - Full article on MilwaukeeMag.com | When are historical building faces potential demolition, everybody’s up in arms. Preservationists are pitted against developers. Tension is high, and so are the stakes: once the buildings are bulldozed, it’s gone for good.

Matt Jarosz, director of UW Milwaukee’s Historic Preservation Institute, recently introduced a cutting-edge method to preserve these buildings’ memories, as a sort of compromise. Why not laser scan the exterior of a building as a new archival process? “A lot of groups are upset when a commission allows a demolition, but in some cases it has to happen,” Jarosz says. “The preservation community feels a little better if they know we are at least have the virtual twin.”

Laser scanning is not new to Jarosz. With UWM students, he’s used this tool - which scans 900,000 points per second - to document and restore the 600-year-old Herstmonceux Castle in England, wooden pagodas in Japan and the ancient Italian town of Amelia. Laser scans of Notre Dame de Paris cathedral facilitated its rebuild after the 2019 fire. “ it helps with repair work, with identifying physical problems, analyzing the skin of the building,” Jarosz says. It costs around $800 for a small building and a few thousand dollars for a large building.

Illustration by Sophie Yufa

Earlier this year, Mayor Cavalier Johnson signed an ordinance into law that would require laser scanning the exterior of any historic building where a demolition permit has been filed. As of May, the Historic Preservation Commission was still fine-tuning the process. “We will be the first major US city that requires such a thing,” says Jarosz.

Compared with photos and drawings, laser scanning saves money and time - and is also more accurate. Says Tim Askin, senior planner with the city’s Historic Preservation Commission. “ it will be actual detailed information you can take measurements off of, instead of a 40-year-old photo,” he says. “ you can go out in the field and draw by hand, but even on a single-family house, it’s probably a day per side of the building, Justin, the fieldwork.”

Read full article on MilwaukeeMag.com

Experience Frank Lloyd Wright's World: Hands-On Workshop at Taliesin

From Framing to Finishes: A workshop at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin

Registration Deadline Extended: August 13

Thursday, SEPT 3 – Saturday, SEPT 5, 2026 (optional Sunday, September 6)
Taliesin, Spring Green, Wisconsin

Join APT and your peers in the field (not at your desk!) at the inaugural professional preservation workshop co-hosted by APT and the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. This program puts your mind and body to work in the actual home-studio complex where Wright trained over 1,000 apprentices across more than 50 years.

What you'll actually do:

You'll get your hands on real, ongoing restoration work at a National Historic Landmark and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Over three days, you will mix and apply sand float plaster using Wright's own finishing techniques, apply paint finishes, and take part in field microscopy sampling right in Wright's bedroom, walk the active Taliesin South Wing restoration site with the team currently rebuilding it, and study structural roof loads with a live load demonstration. You'll train alongside the specialists, including preservation architects, structural engineers, and conservators from Harboe Architects, Building Conservation Associates, John Canning & Co., and the Taliesin Institute itself.

Photo credit: Greg Galer

And you'll live it, too!

Lodging is on-site in the same dorm-style residency used by Wright's own apprentices. Programming takes place in landmark spaces like the Hillside Drafting Studio, Hillside Theater, and Wright's living quarters. Meals and lodging are included once you arrive ~ just get yourself to Spring Green. You'll have access to the 800 acre Taliesin site to examine and photograph the grounds and its buildings at your leisure. 

Evenings bring their own perks, too, including a movie night in the Hillside Theatre and a Wright family film reel with cocktails - just as Wright's students did.

Registration fee includes lodging, meals, snacks and 16 HSW continuing education hours!   

It's a weekend of learning through hands-on work, in the actual Wright site, with the people who are the experts. Do not miss out, register today!

Click on the links below to learn more or register today.

APT members: log in first to unlock member rates.

When “Replacement Cost” Doesn’t Mean Historic Restoration | Historic Property Insurance Checklist

Historic property owners are facing growing challenges in today’s insurance market, and many are discovering that terms they thought they understood may not mean what they expect when a claim occurs. Some insurers are becoming more hesitant to insure certain historic properties, while others are narrowing coverage through endorsements that limit historic restoration obligations.

Download our Historic Property Insurance Checklist‍ ‍when preparing to review coverage for you historic building.

Understanding Coverage Risks for Historic Property Owners

That issue recently came into focus for a Milwaukee owner of several historic properties. After renewing coverage on a historic apartment building, he was surprised to receive a “Historic Building Valuation and Coverage Limitation Endorsement” included with the policy.

The endorsement stated that if the building were damaged, the insurer would pay only for the “least costly, functionally equivalent” repair or reconstruction using commercially available modern materials and methods.

In practical terms, the policy would restore the building’s function — apartments, offices, or commercial space — but not necessarily its historic architectural details, materials, or craftsmanship. The endorsement also excluded requirements to match historic materials or maintain aesthetic consistency with undamaged portions of the building, and certain increased costs associated with compliance with historic preservation requirements or local ordinances.

How Insurance Valuation Impacts Historic Building Restoration

Many property owners assume replacement coverage would mean rebuilding something close to the historic building they own. In reality, insurance policies may use any of several different valuation methods that can lead to very different rebuilding outcomes after a loss.

Three common valuation approaches include:

• Replacement Cost — rebuilding with materials of similar kind and quality using currently available construction methods (which may not replicate original historic materials);

• Functional Replacement Cost — rebuilding the property based on its intended function using the least costly materials and methods that achieve that function; and

• Reproduction Cost — rebuilding an exact replica using original materials,  design, and craftsmanship.

Functional replacement cost is a legitimate insurance option and may make economic sense for some owners and properties, given the added cost of historic restoration. Problems arise, however, when owners do not fully understand what valuation method is being used or what limitations and exclusions may apply after a loss.

Protecting Your Historic Property Investment

Historic property owners may also face additional complications because some buildings are located within local historic districts or are subject to preservation agreements, tax credit requirements, or local ordinances that affect how repairs must be completed after damage. If insurance policies exclude those costs, owners may be responsible for paying the difference themselves.

Lenders can further complicate the picture. In some cases, lenders require insurance limits based on higher estimated reconstruction values, while the policy itself  may limit rebuilding to a functionally equivalent structure depending on applicable endorsements. As a result, owners may pay premiums based on one rebuilding assumption while the policy settles claims based on another.

Specialized Advice Matters for Historic Property Coverage

As insurance markets continue to evolve, historic property owners should review policies carefully and ask questions before renewal or binding coverage. Understanding the difference between replacement cost, functional replacement cost, and reproduction cost coverage is becoming increasingly important for anyone who owns or manages a historic property.

“Historic property insurance is rarely one-size-fits-all,” says Ariana Carney, a property and casualty consultant with the Hausmann Group. “Because these buildings involve unique valuation and restoration issues, owners benefit from a relationship with an agent or advisor who understands those complexities and can help align coverage with preservation obligations, lender requirements, the owner’s goals, and risk tolerance.”

Download our Historic Property Insurance Checklist for questions to discuss with your insurance advisor, lawyer, and lender when reviewing coverage for a historic building.

Rare and Historic Waterfront Opportunity in Oconto, Wisconsin

The City of Oconto is currently seeking development partners for one of the most prominent historic waterfront properties in Northeast Wisconsin — and the opportunity deserves a closer look from preservation-minded developers and investors.

Oconto backing historic development vision

The former hospital and county building, originally constructed in 1872, occupies a remarkable location along the Oconto River with direct access to Green Bay. After years of vacancy, the city is now actively marketing the property for adaptive reuse and encouraging redevelopment proposals.

This is a substantial historic structure with architectural character, civic history, and the kind of waterfront presence that cannot be recreated today. Combined with local incentives, TIF support, and potential historic preservation tax credits, the site presents a genuine opportunity for transformative redevelopment rooted in preservation. Hospitality, housing, mixed-use, recreation-oriented development, or other destination concepts could all fit naturally within the existing structure and setting.

Landmark building with a landmark location 

Oconto — known as the “Walleye Capital of the World” and a major fishing destination in Wisconsin’s Northwoods region — offers a compelling combination of tourism, waterfront access, and historic character.

According to a letter from Cliff Martin, Mayor of Oconto, interested parties are encouraged to contact the mayor’s office by July 1, 2026 to discuss redevelopment opportunities and next steps.

For the right developer, this is more than a real estate project — it is an opportunity to bring new life to a landmark building while helping shape the future of Oconto’s waterfront. We encourage preservation-minded investors, developers, and community builders to review the attached materials and consider what thoughtful adaptive reuse could accomplish in Oconto.

Help Us Celebrate Preservation Month: Share a Place Worth Preserving

In honor of Historic Preservation Month this May, and this year’s theme, “All People Are Created Equal,” we’re asking Wisconsinites to help us tell the stories of places that matter.

What places in your community are worth preserving — and why?

We’re looking for photos and short stories about places across Wisconsin that hold meaning for you. They might be architecturally significant landmarks, but they could also be ordinary places with extraordinary stories: a neighborhood tavern, a school, a family farm, a union hall, a church, a corner store, a main street building, or a site connected to local history, culture, work, or memory.

Some places are beautiful. Some are humble. Some are fading from view. All can tell important stories about the people and communities that shaped Wisconsin.

To participate, email us:

• A photo of the place (one you took yourself or otherwise have permission for us to use)

• The name and location of the place

• A brief story about what makes it meaningful or worthy of preservation

Please send submissions to info@wipreservation.org.

Throughout Preservation Month (and beyond), we’d like to highlight places and stories from around the state that reflect Wisconsin’s rich and varied history — from iconic landmarks to everyday places that matter deeply to the people who know them best.

Governor Signs AB 375 into Law | Historic Tax Credit Repair Bill

On April 9, 2026, Governor Tony Evers signed AB 375 into law during a ceremony at the State Capitol, marking a major milestone for historic preservation and community development efforts across Wisconsin.

The bill represents the culmination of more than a year and a half of collaboration among a broad coalition of partners and advocates working to strengthen preservation tools and support investment in historic places throughout the state. Supporters attending the signing ceremony included representatives from the Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation, the Wisconsin Historical Society, WEDC, WEDA, and many other organizations and stakeholders who helped advance the legislation.

The signing ceremony celebrated not only the passage of AB 375, but also the power of partnership in shaping policies that support preservation, economic development, and community revitalization across Wisconsin.

Stay tuned for more news and updates on historic tax credits in Wisconsin.

Introducing the Local Preservation Network

State Capitol rotunda (Credit: Swansom77)

Across Wisconsin, historic preservation doesn’t happen in the abstract. Preservation happens in community meetings, in project reviews, and in conversations about the future of buildings that matter.

Historic preservation commissions, Main Street programs, local historical societies, and community organizations are doing this work every day. Often it’s done with limited resources, but with a strong commitment to the places that define their communities.

At the Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation, we see that work—and we rely on it.

Cedarburg, WI

Dodgeville, WI

Amplifying Local Voices

We also hear, consistently, that those doing this work locally are navigating increasingly complex challenges. Projects involving historic buildings require balancing preservation goals with economic realities, understanding technical requirements, and making decisions that affect the long-term viability of a place.

At the same time, the most valuable insight about what’s working and what isn’t comes from those on the ground.

That’s why we’re launching the Local Preservation Network.

Launching the Local Preservation Network

This new membership is designed to better support and connect the individuals doing preservation work through local organizations across the state. It’s built around a simple idea: that stronger connections, better access to information, and shared experience can lead to better outcomes for historic buildings and the communities they serve.

Through the Local Preservation Network, organizations can enroll multiple individuals—staff, commissioners, board members, or volunteers—and gain access to practical guidance, relevant expertise, and timely information about policy, funding opportunities, and tools that can support their work. Members will also gain insight from preservation efforts happening in other communities and have a voice in shaping statewide priorities.

Just as importantly, the relationship goes both ways.

Milwaukee, WI

Connecting Solutions Statewide

The challenges local leaders face and the opportunities they see help shape the Wisconsin Trust’s priorities and how we respond—through programming, services, education, and engagement with policymakers and partners. That connection ensures that preservation efforts at the state level are grounded in real-world experience.

Strong preservation outcomes depend on more than passion. They require understanding how projects work, how buildings can be brought back into productive use, and how preservation can support broader goals like downtown revitalization and community development.

By strengthening local capacity and connecting experience across communities, we can help ensure that historic buildings remain both preserved and viable.

Join the Network

The Local Preservation Network is open to historic preservation commissions, historical societies, Main Street and downtown organizations, local preservation nonprofits, and other community-based groups working in this space.

Membership is $75 annually, prorated to $50 for 2026.

If you’re doing this work in your community, we hope you’ll join us.

Historic Tax Credit Repair Bill Passes - Thank You for Showing Up

We are pleased to share that AB 375, the Historic Tax Credit Repair Bill, passed in the Wisconsin Senate on March 17 and is headed to the Governor’s desk for signature!

This legislation makes targeted improvements to the state historic tax credit by:

• Lowering the minimum qualifying expenditure to $50,000, making the credit more accessible for smaller projects and communities

• Allowing projects that have reached the $3.5 million credit cap to reapply after 15 years, supporting the long-term stewardship of Wisconsin’s historic buildings

Together, these changes expand access to the credit and help ensure that more preservation projects—large and small—can move forward.

Thank You for Showing Up

This achievement reflects the strength of our community. Members, partners, and advocates across the state stepped up—attending Historic Preservation Day at the Capitol, calling legislators, sending emails, reaching out to others, and sharing real stories about how the historic tax credit supports local economies, housing, and the continued use of historic places.

Every action mattered.

When the preservation community shows up—by speaking out, sharing stories, and taking action—we are heard. And together, we made this happen.

Bill Recap - What We Accomplished Together

Assembly Bill 375 restores access for smaller projects and allows continued investment in larger historic properties.

Looking Ahead

While this is meaningful progress, there is more work ahead. In future legislative sessions and budget discussions, we will continue to advocate for improvements to the credit—including returning to a one-year structure to further strengthen its impact.

This success also underscores something bigger: our ability to organize, engage, and influence policy. It invites us to think strategically about what comes next.

What other legislative priorities should we advance? What tools do communities need to support preservation across Wisconsin?

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Help Advance This Work

Help us keep this work moving forward.

The Wisconsin Trust relies on member support to fund research and education that demonstrate how the Historic Tax Credit drives private investment, job creation, and community revitalization across Wisconsin.

Join the Trust or make a gift today to ensure we can provide policymakers with the information they need to make informed decisions.