Give the gift of membership

Share your love of history with a gift membership in Wisconsin Historical Society membership. 

Your recipient will receive a full year of membership benefits, including:

  • A subscription to the Wisconsin Magazine of History

  • Free admission to our 12 historic sites and museums

  • A 10% discount on special events and merchandise 

  • Our Columns newsletter

  • And more!

Plus, your gift membership purchase helps keep Wisconsin history alive by supporting the work of the Wisconsin Historical Society. Make your gift today!

The impact of your gift

The State of Wisconsin provides sixty percent of the Wisconsin Historical Society’s annual budget. Society programs depend on essential gifts, grants and earned income for the remaining forty percent. Your membership and additional donations help to close the funding gap and sustain the programs and services that benefit three million people each year and who rely on the Society each year as their trusted connection to history.

With your investment today, you will help:

  • Make available one of the top five genealogical centers in the nation
  • Deliver innovative approaches in history education to teachers, students and history lovers
  • Offer engaging ways to experience Wisconsin history firsthand to over 300,000 visitors each year at 12 historic sites and museums
  • Support public and private efforts to protect Wisconsin's distinctive historic places
  • Acquire, conserve and share the largest collection dedicated to North American history outside of the Library of Congress
  • Provide outreach services, workshops and networking opportunities to more than 390 affiliated county, local and specialized historical societies throughout Wisconsin
  • Make many of these collections and services available both online and in person

We are committed to making the most efficient use of your membership and donations. Please contact us at 888-748-7479 or by email with any questions.

Membership Benefits

  • Free admission* to 12 historic sites and
    museums during regular operating hours
  • 5-issue subscription to the Wisconsin
    Magazine of History—now also available
    as an e-publication on your computer,
    tablet or smartphone (excludes History
    Explorer level)
  • 2 one-time use historic site guest
    passes     to bring a friend or family
    member along
  • 10% discount on all Society special
    events, webinars, workshops and
    conferences (including the annual Local
    History-Historic Preservation Conference)
  • 10% discount on books, historic image
    prints, genealogical records and more
  • One year of Columns, the Society's
    informative and colorful print
    newsletter—available in print and online
  • Invitations to exclusive member
    events     throughout the state
  • A subscription to the Society's Weekly
    E-Newsletter     with news, events and
    fascinating facts

    *Boat trip ticket to visit Black Point Estate purchased separately

Membership Levels

Individual Member Icon

INDIVIDUAL OPTION

For one adult

 Household Memberships Icon

HOUSEHOLD OPTIONS

For two adults and children under 18

Individual
($55)

All membership benefits
including FREE historic site and museum admission and 2 one-time use bonus guest passes

History Explorer
($85)

All membership benefits excluding the print and digital Wisconsin Magazine of History

History Lover
($110)

All membership benefits including the Wisconsin Magazine of History, PLUS one 6-month Individual level gift membership for a friend

ADDITIONAL LEVELS

History Guardian ($250)

All membership benefits PLUS 2 additional historic site and museum guest passes and recognition in the annual report

History Ambassador ($500)

All membership benefits PLUS 4 additional historic site and museum guest passes, recognition in the annual report, invitations to special gatherings and VIP seating at the annual Local History and Historic Preservation Conference

Heritage Circle ($1,200+)

The Heritage Circle comprises members who give $1,200-$4,999 each year and the President's Council – members who give more than $5,000 annually. All Heritage Circle members receive the basic benefit package PLUS:

  • Additional historic site and museum guest passes
  • Exclusive behind-the-scenes tours
  • One free registration to the Local History and Historic Preservation Conference
  • One-on-one consultation with a Society conservator to examine your paper-based artifacts and answer preservation questions

President's Council ($5,000+)

All Heritage Circle membership benefits PLUS even more exclusive-access opportunities!

  

The "I wish to give a gift of membership" check box must be checked in order to purchase a gift membership

Your order will be shipped directly to the gift recipient, free of charge, First Class via USPS. If you prefer to have your gift mailed to you, contact the membership office after placing your order at 1-888-748-7479 or via email. 

Want to order gift memberships by mail? Print and complete this form (PDF, 674 KB) and then mail it with your payment to: Wisconsin Historical Foundation, PO Box 260050, Madison, WI 53726-0050.

To order gift memberships by phone, call us toll free at 1-888-748-7479.

Questions?

Do you have questions about donating or becoming a member? We're here to help!

© 1996-2017 Wisconsin Historical Society, PO Box 260050, Madison, WI 53726-0050