Black River Falls Public Library

Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.)

April 4, 2007, Page 3

The historic site designation application process

The procedure for nominating a site for registration begins with a determination of eligibility (DOE) questionnaire submitted to the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).

This step allows preservation officers to determine if the historic building, structure or landscape possesses significance and integrity. Basically, the DOE provides basic information about the property to determine if it appears to meet the criteria for listing.

The usual procedure is to nominate the property to both the National Register of Historic Places and state registry at the same time.

The next step is to complete and submit the National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form to the SHPO. The nomination must include black and white photographs documenting the building and a United States Geological Survey map.

Sketch maps and color slides are often also included. The nomination itself includes information such as a description of the property, classification, location, functions or use and a statement of significance.

After the nomination has been reviewed by the SHPO and the document has been deemed complete, accurate and meets the criteria of the state and national registries, the application then goes before the Historic Preservation Review Board.

The board can accept, defer judgment or reject the nomination. When the board approves the nomination, it is listed on the state register. Then, the nomination is sent to Washington, D C, for final approval and listing in the National Register of Historic Places. This process can take several months or it may take years.

Historic properties in America, designated for preservation, are maintained by the National Park Service, which is part of the U. S. Department of the Interior.

The state register is Wisconsin’s official listing of state properties determined to be significant to Wisconsin’s heritage.

State sites are maintained by the Division of Historic Preservation at the Wisconsin Historical Society.

Listings can include geographic sites, buildings, structures, objects and districts that are significant in national, state or local history, architecture, archaeology, engineering and culture.

When accepted as a historical site, the property can be considered for federally assisted projects or federal tax benefits. It can also qualify for federal assistance for upkeep.

The addition of a site to the National Register of Historic Places offers very little protection against demolition. For more information see the Wisconsin Historical Society Website: www.wisconsinhistory.org

Carnegie nominated to National Register of Historic Places

Transcribed by Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon.

Jackson County can boast that it has one building listed on the National Register of Historic Places, but because of the efforts of a University of Wisconsin—Madison graduate student the county may soon have two.

Courtney Cain of Hixton, who has studied architectural design, has spent the last couple of years filing papers to nominate the Carnegie Library/Jackson County Historical Museum building in Black River Falls to the National Register.

The National Register of Historic Places is a program designed to identify, evaluate and protect our historic resources.

To be considered for nomination to the National Register, Cain pointed out that buildings must meet certain requirements. First, the building must be at least 50 years old. In addition, the building should have made a significant contribution to the broad pattern of history in the community and should be associated with the lives of persons significant with the past. The building itself should have distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction and possess high artistic values.

The Carnegie building meets these criteria, having been one of the first such libraries established in the state. The building itself lends architectural design in the Prairie style, developed by noted Wisconsin architect Frank Lloyd Wright. As for the historical impact on members of the community, it goes without saying.

If the building is accepted to the National Registry, it no only gains recognition it can also be considered for federally assisted projects, can be eligible for federal tax benefits and can qualify for federal assistance for upkeep.

Cain has worked with several State Historical Society members in Madison in her effort to nominate the Carnegie building. There are no fees involved, only the presentation of the qualities of the building. A representative of the county organization is also encouraged to become involved in the process—one that varies from state to state depending on workload, planning, registration priorities and the schedule of the review board.

Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co, WI) July 19, 2006

Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.)

January 16, 2008, Page 19

Transcribed by: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon

Black River Falls Public Library listed in National Register of Historic Places

The Wisconsin Historical Society has announced the listing of the Black River Falls Public Library in Black River Falls in the National Register of Historic places. National Register designation provides access to certain benefits, including qualification for grants and for rehabilitation income tax credits, while it does not restrict private property owners in the use of their property.

Construction of the library building began in 1914 with the financial assistance provided by the Carnegie Corp. of New York. The building was completed in 1915 and immediately opened as a library. It served this purpose until 1995. The building is now the local history museum for the Jackson County Historical Society. The library building represents the community’s commitment to educational and cultural awareness by its long service as a community center and educational institution.

The register is the official national list of historic properties in America worthy of preservation, and is maintained by the National Park Service in the U. S. Department of the Interior. The Wisconsin Historical Society administers the program within Wisconsin. It includes sites, buildings, structures, objects and districts that are significant in national, state or local history, architecture, archaeology, engineering or culture.

To learn more about the state and national register programs in Wisconsin, visit www.wisconsinhistory.org/hp/.

The Wisconsin Historical Society has announced the Carnegie building housing the Jackson County Historical Society is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The designation means the building located on Main Street, Black River Falls, qualifies for grants, tax credits and other benefits.

Building listed on State Register of Historic Places

The Wisconsin Historical Society placed the former Black River Falls Public Library, which now houses the Jackson County Historical Society Museum, on the State Register of Historic Places April 27, 2007. The building serves as an intact example of the philanthropy of Andrew Carnegie toward the construction of public library buildings in the early 20^th century.

The State Register, maintained by the Wisconsin Historical Society, is Wisconsin’s official listing of properties in the state that have been determined to be significant to Wisconsin’s heritage. It includes buildings, sites, structures and objects that are significant to national, state or local history, architecture, archaeology, engineering or culture.

To learn more about the State or National Register programs in Wisconsin, visit www.wisconsinhistory.org/hp/ .

State Historic Preservation Officer Michael Stevens (third from left) presents a certificate to Eugene Gutknecht, (left) president of the Jackson County Historical Society. Also in the photo are Gary Morris, Leona McKee and Lila Blackdeer.