MADISON, Wis. – Building on a shared legacy of forward-looking innovation, WisHistory and Milwaukee Tool have teamed up for a ten-year partnership to bring professional tools, equipment, and expertise to makers building the future of history in Wisconsin and the Great Lakes region. The ten-year partnership cements Milwaukee Tool as the Official Tool Partner of the Wisconsin Historical Society, activating a shared vision where all Wisconsinites have unparalleled access to history experiences that educate, inspire and help new generations imagine bold new possibilities.
As part of the ten-year agreement, Milwaukee Tool will provide an initial $150,000+ in tools and equipment, with ongoing annual support to help equip the teams responsible for preserving Wisconsin’s historic places and creating new learning experiences.
“Milwaukee Tool’s longstanding and historical commitment to innovation and investment in solutions makes the brand a natural partner for WisHistory as we advance new ways for people to get inspired by history,” said Christian Øverland, the Ruth & Hartley Barker Director and CEO of the Wisconsin Historical Society. “We are thrilled to welcome Milwaukee Tool as our Official Tool Partner and look forward to the opportunities made possible through this partnership.”
Founded in Wisconsin in 1924, Milwaukee Tool has spent more than a century developing innovative solutions for the skilled trades. Today, the company continues to invest in U.S.-based engineering, manufacturing and workforce development, driven by a commitment to the professionals who build, maintain and preserve our communities. That same commitment makes the partnership with the Wisconsin Historical Society a natural extension of Milwaukee Tool’s heritage and its focus on the future.
“Milwaukee Tool was built in Wisconsin, and more than a century later, that heritage remains an important part of who we are. Our success has always been driven by the hardworking men and women who build and maintain our country, constantly finding better ways to get the job done,” said Tim Albrecht, Group President at Milwaukee Tool. “Through this partnership with the Wisconsin Historical Society, we’re proud to put our tools in the hands of those preserving our state’s rich history, while helping the next generation discover the value of working with their hands and the power of innovation.”
The unique partnership will accelerate innovation and craftsmanship across WisHistory’s statewide network of museums, historic sites and work locations including the new state-of-the-art Wisconsin History Center scheduled to open in 2028. Milwaukee Tool will supply a range of tools and materials supporting exhibit and experience development, collections preparation, preservation and conservation, as well as construction, maintenance and facilities improvements at historic sites throughout Wisconsin.
A key aspect of the agreement centers on equipping the Wisconsin History Center’s Experience Design Studio—a professional-grade workspace for developing experiences at the history center, across WisHistory’s historic sites, and through traveling exhibitions that will reach all 72 counties throughout Wisconsin. At the Experience Design Studio, exhibit designers, educators, technologists, curators and fabricators will work side-by-side to design, build and refine the unique experiences that empower people of all ages to engage with history. With professional tools and training from Milwaukee Tool, the studio will become a place for hands-on experimentation, rapid prototyping and in-house fabrication.
WisHistory is also collaborating with Milwaukee Tool to develop hands-on training, learning demonstrations and volunteer experiences that will engage WisHistory staff as well as the public through unique new programs. With Milwaukee Tool as the Official Tool Partner of the Wisconsin Historical Society, the two iconic Wisconsin institutions will join together to empower those building the future of history right now alongside new generations who will shape how we connect to history in the future.
About the Wisconsin Historical Society
The Wisconsin Historical Society, founded in 1846, ranks as one of the largest, most active and most diversified state historical societies in the nation. As both a state agency and a private membership organization, its mission is to help people connect to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing stories. The Wisconsin Historical Society serves millions of people every year through a wide range of sites, programs and services. For more information, visit www.wisconsinhistory.org.
About Milwaukee Tool
For over 100 years, Milwaukee Tool has led the industry with innovative solutions that redefine performance, productivity, and safety for the professional trades. Fueled by an unwavering commitment to its users, Milwaukee Tool pioneers breakthrough technologies, products, and services that empower tradespeople to excel in their work and return home safely each day. Milwaukee Tool continues to invest in U.S.-based innovation, workforce development, and advanced manufacturing, alongside its global research, design, and development operations, including major facilities across southeast Wisconsin, Mississippi, Tennessee, Indiana, and Pennsylvania.
Milwaukee® is a subsidiary of Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. (TTI), a world leader in cordless technology. For more information about Milwaukee Tool, visit www.milwaukeetool.com.
