Jefferson County Parks Department announced earlier this month that it has  launched a countywide historical registry.

According to information released by county officials, the registry is meant to recognize and preserve “a wide range of local history.”

While the registry will include historical sites, other sites under consideration will include those that represent a cultural, social, natural and agricultural significance, the release noted.

An application period has opened for those seeking inclusion for their sites.

Offering some history, the release stated that on Feb. 14, 2017, the Jefferson County Board  of Supervisors dissolved the Historical Sites Preservation Commission and created the  Historical Sites Preservation Council. It is composed of five members: one county board supervisor who is also a member of the Jefferson County Parks  Committee, and four members, who may be either county board supervisors or members of the public with expertise in historical preservation and Jefferson County history.

Members are appointed to the preservation council by the chairman of the County Board of Supervisors. Members include: Robin Untz, Anthony Guilg, Peter Killoran, Roger Lindl, and Matthew Tracey.

“Additionally, many former members have contributed to this project’s development,” the release stated.

The preservation council  meets every other month, year-round.

“There are many organizations, businesses and individuals that are caretakers and maintain (historical) buildings and sites throughout  Jefferson County which are valuable to preserve, document and  share.  The Historical (Sites) Preservation Council’s  goal  is  to create a listing of these sites that are placed on an interactive ‘Story Map’ digital mapping system, which is available to the public to explore online and can be used as a tool for boosting history-based tourism  throughout the county,” Untz, who serves as council  chairperson, was quoted as saying in the release.

The release noted that the registry will provide information and photos for each listing and will indicate if the site can be visited by the public. Disclosure of the exact location of each property is dependent on the nature of the site.  

The registry and story map will provide a “unique opportunity to collaborate” with the owners of the historical properties, “and invest in the future of the preservation of Jefferson County,” the release read.  

Further, the release noted, the registry will provide opportunities for  communities to develop tours of historical neighborhoods, encourage strategic and comprehensive planning for historical districts within municipalities, and provide a network of information about historical tourism sites, including the numerous historical societies throughout Jefferson County.

“We are excited about the opportunities to collaborate with the Jefferson County community and think creatively about how to share our history,” Gulig was quoted as saying in the release.

Program eligibility

According to the release, eligible  sites must show unique historical significance. For example, during the review, the council may consider the following questions: Is the site important due to its ethnic, social, agricultural or natural history?  Is the site associated with a person or event that is historically significant or is the site/structure architecturally or artistically distinctive? A determination by the  council that a structure, site or district is historical is made for recognition purposes only, and does not obligate the owner or occupant to maintain or  preserve the structure, site, or district in any particular  manner, or in any way limit or restrict changes that can be made to the structure, site or district. 

While preservation is encouraged, the purpose of the historical designation is to capture the history so it can be shared and appreciated, and have its value recognized through education, tourism and overall enjoyment of the Jefferson County area.

The council will consider all applications. A formal letter will be sent to applicants after the council completes its review.

To learn more about the program, and for application assistance, visit the Jefferson County website: https://jeffersoncountywiparks.rja.revize.com/forms/9079,  or contact the parks department by email: jeffcoparks@jeffersoncountywi.gov.