In this sesquicentennial year, Wisconsin communities are focusing new attention on their historic buildings and sites. Belmont, the first territorial capital, hosted a special session of the Legislature with present-day politicians dressing in period costumes. Historic buildings are often a community's greatest asset for attracting tourists.
Heritage tourism is one of the fastest growing segments of the nation's substantial travel industry.
If you haven't already done so, the sesquicentennial year is a great time for your community to begin recognizing its historic treasures. Our architectural surveys draw out a community's best examples of style and identify buildings connected to important historical events. As a result of our survey of Eau Claire, citizens learned that 17 additional buildings qualify for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Once historic buildings have been identified, a community can take steps to recognize its valuable resources. Qualifying public and private buildings can be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.