Title: Preservation Alliance of La Crosse Records
Date: 1976-2000

Creator:

• Preservation Alliance of La Crosse, Inc. (La Crosse, Wis.)

Unique Identifier: MSS 062

Quantity: 1.6 cubic feet

Physical Description: 2 archives boxes, 1 flat box

Repository:

La Crosse Public Library
Contact Information

Archival Location:

La Crosse Public Library (Map)

Abstract:

Organized originally as the La Crosse Area Society for Historic Preservation in 1976, the group began meeting in 1975 and focused their energies in trying to protect and preserve La Crosse landmarks. In 1983, the group changed its name to the Preservation Alliance of La Crosse, Inc. Its purpose is to preserve the historic buildings of La Crosse and raise public awareness concerning historical preservation.

Records from the Preservation Alliance of La Crosse, 1976-2000, include administrative files, materials related to events sponsored by the group, financial materials, projects in which the group engaged, and allied groups.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.lcpl-mss062

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Founded in 1975, the La Crosse Society for Historic Preservation began meeting in 1976 in an effort to preserve historic buildings in La Crosse. This organization spent time raising awareness of the advantages of preserving historic buildings and made an unsuccessful attempt to save the 19th century Post Office Building at 4th and State Streets in downtown La Crosse.

Beginning in 1978, the society held their first annual Heritage Awards banquet during which they honored selected business and homeowners for their efforts to preserve their historic properties. In 1979 the first walking tour was developed so participants could study and develop an appreciation for La Crosse area architecture.

In 1983, the society changed its name to the Preservation Alliance of La Crosse. Fund raising projects have included the sale of buttons and Christmas ornaments with funds used for historic preservation.

In November of 1994 the La Crosse City Council adopted a Historic Preservation Ordinance, which gave recognition for the need to preserve the historic buildings of La Crosse. Buildings designated as local historic sites could be renovated if the owner's plans received a Certificate of Appropriateness from the La Crosse Historic Preservation Commission.

An annual Architectural Treasure Hunt was organized in 1998 to help further raise awareness of the wide variety of styles of architecture in La Crosse. Participants identify area buildings from a partial view pictured in the La Crosse Tribune.

In 1998, the Preservation Alliance received a donation of a "farmer's house" from Western Wisconsin Technical College which was moved from 422 N. Eighth Street to Cass Street behind the Hixon House on WWTC land and then renovated by the group.

The collection is organized into five main series: administrative files, events, financial materials, projects and allied organizations.

Records from the Preservation Alliance of La Crosse, 1976-2000, include administrative files, materials related to events sponsored by the group, financial materials, projects in which the group engaged, and allied groups.

(Accession nos. 2000.017, 2001.005) Donated by the Preservation Alliance of La Crosse via William Doering, April 2000 and Feb. 2001.

Processed by Jaime Dechant and Anita Taylor Doering, Dec. 2000, May 2001; additions processed by Christine Stolz, June 2001.

(Clipping file)

Organizations--La Crosse Area Society for Historic Preservation

(Clipping file)

Organizations--Preservation Alliance of La Crosse

(Ephemera file)

Organizations--Preservation Alliance of La Crosse

(Picture File)

Farmer's House

47706643

Materials in this collection are available for patron use.

[Identification of item], Preservation Alliance of La Crosse Records, MSS 062, La Crosse Public Library Archives, La Crosse, WI

Arranged in five series:

Series 1: Administrative Files

Series 2: Events

Series 3: Financial Materials

Series 4: Projects

Series 5: Allied Groups

• La Crosse Area Society for Historic Preservation (La Crosse, Wis.).
• Preservation Alliance of La Crosse, Inc. (La Crosse, Wis.)
• Historic buildings--Wisconsin--La Crosse
• Historic preservation--Wisconsin--La Crosse

(Series 1)	Series: Administrative Files Scope and Contents The Administrative Files contain historical background such as news releases, newspaper clippings, and newsletters. (More current issues and a complete run of newsletters are available in the Archives Local Publication Collection.) Other administrative materials include the organization's constitution and by-laws, membership lists (1977-1987; 1999-2000), incoming and outgoing correspondence, board of director lists (1976-1987; 1999), and minutes from meetings. In some cases when minutes are not available, agendas have been substituted.
Box 1   Folder 1	History & origins of the La Crosse Area Society for Historic Preservation
Box 1   Folder 2	Constitution/by-laws, 1976-1977
Box 1   Folder 3	Board of Director lists, 1976-1987, 1999
Box 1   Folder 4	Brochures, undated
	Correspondence
Box 1   Folder 5	Incoming, 1976-1980
Box 1   Folder 6	Outgoing, 1972-2000
Box 1   Folder 7	Membership, 1977-2000
Box 1   Folder 8	Minutes, 1976-2000
Box 1   Folder 9	News releases, 1977-1979
Box 1   Folder 10	Newsletters, 1977-1984
Box 1   Folder 11	Newspaper clippings, 1976-1991
(Series 2)	Series: Events Scope and Contents The Events files contain materials pertaining the annual Heritage Awards Banquet. Included here are nomination forms for specific properties, some of which describe the properties in great detail. Mounted and labeled oversize photographs of Heritage Award winning properties from approximately 1984 are also part of this collection. Other items include copies of the two walking tours of La Crosse, information related to the Winter Solstice, and other miscellaneous events.	⇧
Box 1   Folder 12-15	Heritage Awards Banquet, 1978-2001
Box 3	Photographs of Heritage Award winners, circa 1984
Box 2   Folder 1	Walking Tour, 1978, 1999
Box 2   Folder 2	Winter Solstice, 1985-1998
Box 2   Folder 3	Miscellaneous, 1976-1999
(Series 3)	Series: Financial Materials Scope and Contents Limited Financial Materials are available. Budgets from 1976-1998 are included, but gaps exist in taxes (1976-1979; 1999) and treasurer's reports (1981; 1989; 1999). Financial secretary's reports are included from March-June 2000.	⇧
Box 2   Folder 4	Budgets, 1976-1998
Box 2   Folder 5	Financial secretary's reports, 2000
Box 2   Folder 6	Taxes, 1976-1979, 1999
Box 2   Folder 7	Treasurer's reports, 1981-1999
(Series 4)	Series: Projects Scope and Contents The bulk of the material in the Projects section relates to the preservation of the 19th century La Crosse Post Office. Other projects undertaken by the Preservation Alliance have included the Architectural Treasure Hunt, historical calendars, a 1976 Community Development Block Grant, the 1977 reprint of the 1881 History of La Crosse County , the Christmas ornaments fund raiser and the historic preservation of and interest in the Farmer's House and United Temple Building.	⇧
Box 2   Folder 8	Architectural Treasure Hunt, 1997
Box 2   Folder 9	Calendars (historical), 1979-1981
Box 2   Folder 10	Community Development Block Grant Proposal, 1976
Box 2   Folder 11	County history book reprint, 1977-1979
Box 2   Folder 12	Farmer's House, 1999
Box 2   Folder 17	National Trust for Historic Preservation, 1976-1986
Box 2   Folder 13	Ornaments, 1992-1999
Box 2   Folder 14	Post Office building, 1975-1976
Box 2   Folder 15	United Temple Building, 1997
Box 2   Folder 18	Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation, 1981-1993
(Series 5)	Series: Allied Groups Scope and Contents The Preservation Alliance of La Crosse (PAL) has been associated with several groups. Materials are included pertaining to a proposed 1978 merger with the La Crosse Historical Society. Materials from other Allied Groups, namely the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation, are also included.	⇧
Box 2   Folder 16	La Crosse County Historical Society proposed merger, 1978