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.