Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Chapter 44 - Historical societies and historical preservation.
44.15 - Historical markers program.

44.15 Historical markers program.
(2) Creation. It is declared to be in the public interest to stimulate interest in and knowledge of the state by marking sites of special historical, architectural, cultural, archaeological, ethnic, geological or legendary significance, and maintaining and developing such sites approximately so as to preserve their individual characteristics. The historical markers program is created to call attention to the state's historical, cultural and natural heritage through a system of markers and plaques and to supplement, wherever possible, information contained in the state register of historic places. It is the purpose of the program to significantly increase the number of historical, cultural and natural heritage sites that are marked in this state.
(3) Markers and plaques.
(a) The historical society shall do all of the following:
1. Plan, develop and publicize a uniform system of marking for state and local sites of historical, architectural, cultural, archaeological, ethnic, geological and legendary significance. The marking system shall constitute large markers of standard design, in one or more sizes, with narrative text describing the associated site.
2. Plan, develop and publicize a system of plaques for the districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects listed on the state register of historic places and a system of plaques for marking state and local sites of special historical, architectural, cultural, archaeological, ethnic, geological or legendary significance. The system of plaques shall constitute small plaques of various types, each with a standard design, intended to identify the district, site, building, structure or object, and generally without narrative text. Any narrative text included on a plaque shall be standardized for a specific type of plaque. The historical society shall consider and respond to reasonable requests to establish new types of plaques.
3. Establish criteria for the selection of appropriate sites for markers and plaques under this subsection. The historical society shall accept applications for approval of the placement of markers and plaques, and for any narrative text for markers. The historical society shall approve those applications that meet the criteria established by the historical society.
4. Prepare the text for a book listing the locations and text of all markers in this state.
(b) The markers and plaques approved by the historical society under this subsection may not be used to mark sites other than those approved by the historical society and shall be used subject to any conditions established by the historical society. No marker or plaque may include the name of the current owner of the property. Without the approval of the historical society, no person may erect or use a marker or plaque that is identical to or misleadingly resembles the markers and plaques approved under this subsection. The historical society may require the removal of any marker or plaque that does not meet the requirements of this subsection.
(4) State-funded markers. The historical society may identify and authorize construction of individual markers or plaques, or any series of markers or plaques, to be funded from the appropriation under s. 20.245 (1) (a). No matching funds are required for a marker or plaque that is constructed under this subsection. Funds under this subsection may be used for the purchase of plaques to be installed on historical properties and for the construction of markers or plaques in other states or countries.
(5) Maintenance. Any approval issued for a marker or plaque by the historical society under this section shall include a requirement that the applicant maintain the marker or plaque, and shall also include authorization permitting the historical society, if necessary, to enter the property and maintain the marker or plaque. The historical society may issue orders to maintain markers and plaques, and may maintain markers or plaques.
(6) State-owned property. Each board, commission, committee, department or officer in state government shall cooperate with the historical society in the placement of markers or plaques on state-owned property, and shall place and maintain such markers or plaques, as supplied by the historical society, at locations identified by the historical society.
(7) Donations; assistance.
(a) The historical society may accept gifts, appropriations and bequests made to it for the purposes of this section and use them as far as practicable in accordance with the wishes of the donor.
(b) The historical society may accept the aid, support and cooperation of county, city, village or town agencies, or private agencies or persons in executing its projects.
(8) Cooperation of state agencies. All state departments, independent agencies and institutions are directed to cooperate with the historical society in the performance of its duties under this section. Applicable laws shall be liberally construed in favor of such cooperation.
(9) Rules. The historical society shall promulgate rules to implement and administer the program. The rules shall include all of the following:
(a) Policies and procedures for the uniform systems of markers and plaques under sub. (3) (a) 1. and 2.
(b) Criteria for the selection of appropriate sites for markers and plaques under sub. (3) (a) 3.
History: 1991 a. 269; 1993 a. 471; 1997 a. 27; 2001 a. 16.