Calling all Wisconsin local history organizations!

Want to digitize a collection but need support scanning and creating metadata? We’re here to help! Recollection Wisconsin seeks new content partners (host sites) to digitize local history collections. Trained graduate students will complete the work and will receive a stipend from us. Your collection will be added to Recollection Wisconsin. It’s a win-win-win!

Content partners/host sites will:

• identify and organize a photo or paper-based collection, 
• complete a digitization project planning worksheet,
• identify a staff person to serve as liaison and attend a virtual project launch meeting and digital projects training, 
• have a scanner, computer and adequate workspace,
• provide student staff with an orientation to their organization and collections, and general support during a student’s work shift, 
• receive scanning and metadata workflows to support future work, and
• receive a new external hard drive for your organization’s ongoing digital preservation work.

We’re interested in new collections that document lesser-known stories about Wisconsin history and the people who have inhabited our home state including Native, immigrant, and LGBTQ communities; women’s stories; and, in general, materials that document aspects of unique Wisconsin businesses and business innovation, agriculture and industry, tourism, cities and architecture, natural landscape and resources or military veterans. 

Application Instructions and Timeline

The application period for fall 2026 and spring 2027 is open! We are accepting applications for fall 2026 and 2027! Fill out this brief application. We’ll be in touch to schedule an informal (virtual) interview in spring or summer 2026.

• Mar 1: Application period closed for summer 2026 cohort
• Mar 15: Placements/matches made, participants notified
• Apr 1: Participation agreement signed and project planning worksheet started for summer 2026 cohort
• May 1: Fall 2026 placements/matches made, participants notified
• May 27: Training workshop in Madison, Wisconsin for summer 2026 cohort
• June 1: Summer 2026 cohort begins
• Aug 15: Summer 2026 cohort ends
• late Aug: Training workshop in [TBD] for fall 2026 cohort
• Sept 1: Fall 2026 cohort begins

Content partner information [printable PDF]
Project planning worksheet [printable PDF]

For additional program information, contact vicki@wils.org. JOIN US!

Recent Participants

• Ho-Chunk Language Division (fall 2024)
• Edgerton Public Library (fall 2024)
• Eagle River Historical Society and Museum (fall 2024)
• Milwaukee Art Museum (spring 2025)
• Middleton Area Historical Society (spring 2025)
• Washington Island Town Museums (spring 2025)
• Menomonee Falls Public Library (spring 2025)
• America’s Black Holocaust Museum (summer 2025)
• Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (summer 2025)
• Racine Public Library (summer 2025)
• Tomah Historical Society and Museum (summer 2025)
• Whitewater Public Library (spring 2026)
• Madison Area Technical College Library (spring 2026)
• Farnsworth Public Library (Oconto) (spring 2026)