Wisconsin Burial Sites Preservation Board | Wisconsin Historical Society

Organizational Description

About the Wisconsin Burial Sites Preservation Board

Wisconsin Burial Sites Preservation Board | Wisconsin Historical Society

About the Burial Sites Preservation Board

The Burial Sites Preservation Board is an independent panel that helps to administer Wisconsin's burial sites law.

The Board is made up of the director of the Wisconsin Historical Society, the State Historic Preservation Officer, the State Archaeologist, three members nominated by Native American Tribal Chairpersons and appointed by the governor, as well as three members nominated by the Wisconsin Archeological Survey who are also appointed by the governor. The board meets four times per year.

Open Meeting Notice

The Burial Sites Preservation Board will meet on Saturday, March 18, 2023.

Wisconsin Burial Sites Preservation Board

March 18, 2023 from 10:30-12:00

State Archive Preservation Facility

204 S. Thornton Avenue

Madison, WI 53703

Please note: A quorum of Burial Board members may be in attendance at the spring Wisconsin Archeological Survey meeting. No Burial Board matters will be discussed.

2023 Burial Sites Preservation Board Meetings

    • March 30, 2023, Stevens Point
    • June 8, 2023, Wisconsin Historical Society Headquarters, Madison
    • September 14, 2023, Wisconsin Historical Society Headquarters, Madison
    • December 7, 2023, Stevens Point

Burial Sites Preservation Board Members

Voting Members

Paul Reckner WHS Director Designee
Archeologist
Wisconsin Historical Society
Madison, Wisconsin

Jennifer Haas Chair
Wisconsin Archeological Survey
Shorewood, Wisconsin

Cynthia Stiles Vice Chair
Wisconsin Archeological Survey
Rhinelander, Wisconsin

Katherine Stevenson 
Wisconsin Archeological Survey
La Crosse, Wisconsin

David J. Grignon
Nahwahquaw
Tribal Historical Preservation Officer
Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin
Keshena, Wisconsin

Vacant
Tribal Representative

Melinda Young
Tribal Representative
Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians
Lac du Flambeau, WI

Non-Voting Members

James Skibo
State Archaeologist
Wisconsin Historical Society
Madison, Wisconsin

Daina Penkiunas
State Historic Preservation Officer
Wisconsin Historical Society
Madison, Wisconsin

Burial Sites Preservation Board Responsibilities

      1. Determine which Native American tribes in Wisconsin have an interest in any cataloged burial site or class of cataloged burial sites.
      2. Determine which applicants to the Registry of Interested Persons have an interest in a cataloged burial site or class of cataloged burial sites.
      3. Notify the director of the Wisconsin Historical Society who they have approved for membership on the Registry of Interested Persons.
      4. Review decisions made by the director of the Wisconsin Historical Society and the Department of Administration's Division of Hearings and Appeals to permit or deny disturbance to cataloged burial sites.
      5. Review the director's decision to rebury human remains or transfer them to the custody of members of the Registry of Interested Persons.
      6. Approve the transfer of burial sites from municipal to private ownership.

Learn More

Learn about the state and federal laws that protect burial sites, Native American mounds and other places where human remains are buried.

Have Questions?

Contact Amy Rosebrough by phone at 608-264-6494 or by email below: