Shawano Has History Earns Statewide Recognition

Shawano Has History Earns Statewide Recognition

The Shawano community has another reason to celebrate.

The Shawano Has History project has earned statewide recognition, receiving the 2026 Wisconsin Historical Society Board of Curators Public Program Award. This award recognizes Wisconsin organizations, individuals, or groups that have launched an exceptional or innovative public history program in the preceding year.

Christian Overland, Director and CEO of the Wisconsin Historical Society, presented the award to Michael Oberle, Shawano County Historical Society Board member, and Ben Hartwig, Leadership Shawano County representative. Historical Society representatives, Leadership Shawano County members, city officials, representatives from BID, the Chamber of Commerce and Community Education, and project sponsors attended the award ceremony.

For Shawano, the award recognizes a community effort that has brought the stories of the city’s historic downtown buildings to life through interpretive plaques, online resources, and educational programs.

A partnership between the Shawano County Historical Society and Leadership Shawano County, the project began with a simple goal: to share the history behind Shawano’s historic downtown and the buildings that people pass every day. Since the first plaques were installed, the initiative has grown steadily, encouraging residents and visitors alike to slow down, read the stories, and gain a greater appreciation for Shawano’s architectural and business heritage.

With 20 plaques installed, the project highlights the history of specific buildings, businesses, and the owners who called them home. Each plaque includes a QR code linking to additional photographs and information through the historical society’s website. Together, the markers create a self-guided walking tour that allows people to explore downtown while learning about the history that helped shape the community.

The plaques, walking tour, and community education programs are the most visible parts of a larger effort. Volunteers from the Historical Society and Leadership Shawano County worked with property and business owners, city officials, community organizations, and sponsors to make the project possible.

The award recognizes the value of preserving local history and the dedication of the volunteers and supporters who have contributed to the project over the past several years. It also serves as encouragement for the future. Additional buildings are being researched, new plaques are planned, and the project hopes to expand throughout Shawano County, ensuring that more stories will be preserved and shared with future generations.

For everyone participating in this project, or simply stopping to read a plaque, the award is a reminder that local history matters—and that Shawano’s story is worth telling.

If you would like to learn more about the Shawano Has History Project, explore researched properties, or support the effort by donating to or sponsoring a plaque, please visit the link above.