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.

New Stewards for the Racine Masonic Center

The Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation is delighted to share that the Racine Masonic Center — previously featured on our blog and social media before its absolute auction — has found new owners who understand what it means to care for a historic place!

When older buildings like the Racine Masonic Center linger on the market for years, or end up in foreclosure or auction, they face real risks of demolition. However, instead of loss, we are thrilled the Racine Masonic Center has found champions ready to invest in its future.

Neil and Moe Redding purchased the property at auction and are relocating from Grand Rapids, Michigan, to take on the project. Their goal: restore and activate the building as an events venue that once again serves the Racine community.

A Serendipitous Discovery

The Redding’s path to Racine wasn’t planned. After touring a different Masonic property in Kenosha — Moe’s original hometown — and realizing it would not meet their needs, they discovered the Racine Masonic Center auction listing and decided to attend the open house.

That visit, as they say, changed everything.

The 43,500-square-foot property, equipped with a Masonic hall added in the 1920s, offered exactly what they had been hoping to find: architectural character, generous space, and strong bones. And although the mansion on the property was built in 1856, the building benefits from newer HVAC systems and a fully equipped commercial kitchen, making it well-suited for reuse as an events venue, even as renovations move forward.

The Right Experience

Together, the Reddings see the Racine Masonic Center as both a preservation project and their next professional chapter. Neil is retiring from a career in industrial controls engineering, bringing decades of technical expertise to the rehabilitation effort. His wife, Moe and her sister are experts in events and venue operations, giving them practical insight into how to market and manage a large gathering space.

What Comes Next?

The Reddings plan to approach the project in phases. Their first priority is activating the ballroom for events, with plans to move next to spaces such as the Egyptian Hall and Doric Hall, and eventually the historic mansion.

Early efforts are already making a difference. Cleaning, organizing, and simple updates like replacing lightbulbs have already brightened the building — small steps that signal the larger transformation to come.

Given the scale of the project, the Wisconsin Trust will serve as a resource on state and federal historic tax credits that can play a role in offsetting the costs of rehabilitation. These programs are powerful tools in supporting preservation-minded owners while protecting the architectural features that make built environments like the Racine Masonic Center significant.

A Gathering Place Once Again

Neil and Moe envision the Racine Masonic Center as more than an events venue. With its large halls and historic detailing, the building offers exciting possibilities for cultural use.

“We are so excited about the endless possibilities this space holds — from hosting the symphony, local theater performances, and choirs to celebrating weddings, elegant galas in the ballroom, and meaningful fundraising events. The opportunities truly feel limitless.” - Neil Redding

They anticipate the ballroom will be available by the end of May, 2026. Those interested can reach out via email at grandtempleevents@gmail.com while their website (grandtempleevents.com) is in development.

A Preservation Success Story in the Making — and a Reminder

We are grateful to see the Racine Masonic Center in the hands of owners committed to its future. This example serves as a powerful reminder that historic buildings do not preserve themselves — it takes people and communities willing to step forward, take risks, and believe in what these places can become.

Neil and Moe Redding’s story shows what can happen when the right people connect with the right building at the right time. We look forward to sharing updates as the Racine Masonic Center begins its next chapter — and to helping other historic places find their champions as well.

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Do you have a historic property in your community that has been languishing ind disrepair or sitting on the market for years? Is there a building at risk of foreclosure, neglect, or demolition? We want to hear about it. The earlier preservation conversations begin, the more options are available.

Our letter to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin regarding the Ozaukee County Distribution Interconnection Project

This week, we submitted to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin regarding PSC Docket 137-CE-221, the Ozaukee County Distribution Interconnection Project.

The Trust supports the project’s Alternate Route, which more closely follows Wisconsin’s long-standing policy preference for use of existing utility corridors and would avoid creating new impacts to historic, cultural, agricultural, and rural landscape resources.

We are sharing this letter with our community to continue the momentum as the PSC review proceeds, given the significant local and regional implications of the routing decision and the importance of ensuring that established statutory and preservation principles are carefully considered in the Commission’s deliberations.

We invite you to download and review our letter to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin regarding PSC Docket 137-CE-221 (and see who was CC-ed on the message).

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UPDATE! We’re proud to share that the National Trust for Historic Preservation joins us in supporting the Alternate Route for the proposed Ozaukee County Distribution Interconnection Project. Read their public comment submitted to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin.

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The open farmland, prairies, and historic buildings shown to the right are not empty spaces — they are living reminders of the state’s agricultural heritage, rural character, and cultural history. Once fragmented by a new high-voltage transmission corridor, landscapes like these cannot truly be restored.

While the Trust recognizes the need for reliable energy infrastructure, we support the Alternate Route, which would run largely along existing utility corridors and avoid introducing a new corridor cutting through intact rural and historic landscapes.

Wisconsin law expresses a clear preference for using existing corridors where feasible — precisely to protect places like these. Preservation is about choices. We believe Wisconsin can meet its energy needs without sacrificing irreplaceable places that define our communities and our history

*Updated* Historic Preservation Day at the Capitol — Joining Forces for a Stronger Voice

Join the Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation for our First Annual Historic Preservation Day at the Capitol on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, in Madison.

We had previously announced the Historic Preservation Day at the Capitol this session. Thank you to those who registered! After thoughtful discussion, we’ve decided to join forces with the Wisconsin Historical Society’s Advocacy Day, which will take place one week later, on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

Simply put: there is strength in numbers.

REGISTRATION | What you need to do

Read full details about Historic Advocacy Day and register directly with the Wisconsin Historical Society.

By aligning our advocacy efforts with the Wisconsin Historical Society, we’ll be part of a larger, more unified presence—bringing together people who care deeply about Wisconsin’s history, historic places, and preservation policies from across the state.

At a critical moment for the historic preservation legislation we've advanced this session, this approach allows us to speak with greater impact and clarity to legislators. We believe this joint approach best serves our shared goals—and ensures that historic preservation remains visible, relevant, and well represented at the Capitol.

Thank you for your flexibility, your advocacy, and your continued commitment to preservation in Wisconsin. We hope to see as many of you as possible on February 11!

History Advocacy Day in Wisconsin | FEBRUARY 11

8:30–9:00 AM – Registration & Morning Refreshments

09:00–09:05 AM – Welcome from the Wisconsin Historical Society | Christian Øverland, The Ruth and Hartley Barker Director & CEO

09:05–09:20 AM – Engaging Your Legislators | Kate Easton, Director of Government Relations

10:00 AM–12:00 PM – Meetings with Local Legislators in the State Capitol Building

12:00 PM–01:00 PM – Volunteers’ Lunch & Learn Session

01:00–03:00 PM – Meetings with Local Legislators in the State Capitol Building

03:00–04:00 PM – Wrap Up at the Central Library

Full Agenda and Cancellation policy

Letter in Support of Historic Designation Milwaukee Auditorium and Arena

Letter sent to Milwaukee Common Council on December 4, 2025 in support of permanent historic designation of the Milwaukee Auditorium and Milwaukee Arena

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Milwaukee Common Council
200 E. Wells Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202

RE: Support for Permanent Historic Designation – Milwaukee Auditorium & Milwaukee Arena  (412 West Kilbourn Avenue; CCF 250995)

Dear President Pérez and Honorable Members of the Common Council:

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation, I would like to congratulate the Common Council for supporting the permanent historic designation of the Milwaukee Auditorium and Milwaukee Arena. 

We are firm believers that the designation process established by city ordinance reflects a core value we share with the City: the belief that when a historic public resource faces potential change, the public should have a voice. Historic designation does not prevent redevelopment or demolition; rather, it ensures that any future proposal receives the appropriate level of scrutiny, transparency, and thoughtful review. The ordinance allows the public to be heard, ensures the historic value of these properties is fully considered, and places the final decision in the hands of elected officials—exactly as it should be for buildings of such civic importance.

This balanced, transparent process is not an obstacle to progress; it is a hallmark of responsible stewardship. The Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation strongly believes that such an approach serves both the city’s future and its proud architectural heritage.

The Auditorium and Arena are among Milwaukee’s most significant cultural and civic landmarks, deeply woven into the city’s architectural legacy and public life. They have hosted the moments, gatherings, and civic milestones that help define Milwaukee’s identity, and they stand today as irreplaceable components of the historic Civic Center.

These buildings also represent the work of architects whose influence shaped the character of Milwaukee. Their architectural and historic significance—well documented over generations—makes them exactly the kind of public treasures our community has long chosen to safeguard through the City’s historic preservation ordinance.

For these reasons, we wish to congratulate the Common Council for approving historic designation for the Milwaukee Auditorium and Milwaukee Arena. In doing so, Milwaukee affirms its commitment to preserving the places that matter, while ensuring that any future change proceeds through the thoughtful, democratic process the City has long embraced.

Thank you for your leadership and dedication to the people of Milwaukee.

Sincerely,

Dan Wilhelms
President, Board of Directors
Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation

cc: Honorable Cavalier Johnson, Mayor, City of Milwaukee

Bayfield Fish Hatchery project brings UWM preservation students national recognition

Article originally published by UW-Milwaukee’s School of Architecture & Urban Planning on UWM.edu. Read the full article

Article excerpt: Three students from the Historic Preservation Institute (HPI) have earned national recognition from the National Park Service, receiving honorable mention in the 2025 Charles E. Peterson Prize competition.

Under the guidance of Adjunct Assistant Professor Amanda Wagner, students Elizabeth Hanson, Michael Burrows, and Katie Tyree documented the historic Bayfield Fish Hatchery in Bayfield, Wisconsin.

Their award-winning set of measured drawings will be part of the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) collection at the Library of Congress, a distinction reserved for exemplary documentation of the nation’s architectural heritage.

The Peterson Prize is a national competition hosted annually by the National Park Service in partnership with the American Institute of Architects, the Athenaeum of Philadelphia, and the Association for Preservation Technology.

Read the full article on UWM.edu

Racine Masonic Center: Historic Landmark Heading to Absolute Auction, November 6, 2025

The Racine Masonic Center, also known as the Henry Durand House, is heading to absolute auction on November 6, 2025 — a once-in-a-lifetime chance for a new steward to take on one of Racine’s most distinctive landmarks.

Historical Significance

• Built in 1856 as an Italianate cream brick mansion for Henry Durand.

• In 1922, the Masons expanded it with an Egyptian Revival–style temple wing, featuring lotus and papyrus motifs, a winged Masonic symbol, and striking architectural details.

• Notable interior details historically included 11 fireplaces, Philippine mahogany woodwork, and even a Tiffany-glass dome in the shower.

• Listed as a contributing structure in the Southside Historic District, on both the National and State Registers of Historic Places.

A Landmark Property

• Over 43,000 square feet across four stories, with prime downtown Racine frontage and views of Lake Michigan.

• Vacant and adaptable for many uses: nonprofit, cultural center, business offices, mixed-use redevelopment, or another creative reimagining.

• Because this is an absolute auction, the property will sell on November 6 — no reserve, no minimum.

Incentives for Preservation

Owners pursuing appropriate rehabilitation could be eligible for:

• The Federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit (20% of qualified expenditures).

• The Wisconsin Historic Tax Credit, (20% of qualified expenditures).

Together, these incentives can make preservation not only visionary but also financially viable.

Our Call to Action

The Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation is committed to helping this property find a conscientious owner — whether nonprofit, business, or civic-minded individual. We can offer guidance on:

• Navigating historic tax credits

• Preservation planning

• Building community support

Mark your calendar: November 6, 2025.

Learn more from the Wisconsin Historical Society listing and Founders 3 brokerage listing.

If you’re interested in helping secure this building’s future, or in learning more about how we can support preservation-minded buyers, please reach out. Let’s ensure the Racine Masonic Center begins its next chapter in caring hands.