The Wisconsin Antiques Dealers Association, founded in 1948, is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the heritage of the State. A large portion of each gate admission at our shows is reserved for such endeavors.
2022
Fort Winnebago's Historic Indian Agency House, Portage, Wisconsin for funding to acquire and/or create special archival boxes and storage mounts in order to give each piece more effective protection and to monitor conditions to ensure a proper preservation environment.
Price County Historical Society, Fifield, Wisconsin, partial funding for new preservation and storage facility.
2021
The Manitowish Waters Historical Society, in conjunction with the North Lakeland Discovery Center, received a $1,000 grant to create a prototype for one of six display areas within a historic 1933-1934 Civilian Conservation Corps building.
Vilas County historically is a center of forest history in Wisconsin and Manitowish Waters has been part of the focus of that history. The plan is to tell that story with displays that trace forest history from First Nation History, the Three Phases of Logging, the reaction of the Logging Era-Wisconsin Conservation Commission and Department later the DNR, The Civilian Conservation Corps, The Youth Conservation Corps, Conservation vs. Preservation, and a changing display of historical topics.
2020
The Wisconsin Antiques Dealers Association recently voted to award a 2020 Grant to the FRIENDS of the Wisconsin Historical Society, continuing founding sponsorship of the "30th Star Benefit Antiques Auction". The $1,000 was used to fund the preservation by the Mukwonago Historical Society of a large collection of Mukwonago-related historical materials collected by the late Marty Perkins. Marty was a renowned longtime researcher for the Wisconsin State Historical Society. He was the driving force in the selection and relocation of many of the ethnic buildings at Old World Wisconsin. As a resident of Mukwonago he accumulated a large collection of Mukwonago-related history articles, first-hand settler accounts, genealogies, census studies, diaries, and photographs, both in print and glass plate negatives. These materials will be preserved, digitally recorded, and placed on the MHS website for public use, greatly enhancing public awareness of Mukwango's rich history going back to 1835. Mukwanago-area’s youth will find this internet-available information useful for school projects as well as their own interest.
2019
Fort Winnebago's Historic Indian Agency House, Portage, Wisconsin for funding to build an archival storage area.
2018
The Wisconsin Antiques Dealers Association recently voted to award a 2018 Grant to the FRIENDS of the Wisconsin Historical Society, continuing founding sponsorship of the "30th Star Benefit Antiques Auction". The $1,000 was used by the Wisconsin Historical Society to provide photographic studio backdrops for H. H. Bennett Studio, a Wisconsin State Historic Site in the Wisconsin Dells. The backdrops replicate those used in the 2nd half of the 19th century.
2017
Pendarvis State Historic Site in Mineral Point received $1,000 in funding for restoration of portraits of William Rudolf Smith and wife, Mary Smith, through WADA's sponsorship of the '30th Star Benefit Antiques Auction' produced by the Friends of the Wisconsin Historical Society. In 1839 Smith was appointed Adjutant General of the Wisconsin Territory by President Martin Van Buren and moved to Mineral Point. Holding various political offices, Smith was appointed the first President of Wisconsin's State Historical Society.
The Rock County Historical Society received a $500 grant to restore a print important to its history.
The Price County Historical Society also received a grant in the amount of $1,000 for indoor painting and maintenance projects at the Old Town Hall Museum located in Fifield, Wisconsin.
2016
The Menomonee Falls Historical Society received a $1,000 grant to assist with the cost of a new roof and chinking of the 1842 Brogan Cabin at Old Falls Village.
The New Holstein Historical Society received a $500 grant to help restore the interior of the old General Store; paneling, finish trim and wainscoting.
Wade House, in Greenbush, received $1,000 in funding for restoration of a Victorian square piano through WADA's sponsorship of the '30th Star Benefit Antiques Auction' produced by the Friends of the Wisconsin Historical Society.
2015
The Rock County Historical Society received a grant to restore the Becker double capacity "sweetheart" viewer. It is an wooden-encased, double-belt-rotary stereoptican viewer that uses pairs of photo images creating a 3-D effect. A suitable stand designed from vintage photos will also be replicated and demonstrated by a trained docent to allow visitors to the Lincoln-Tallman House Museum an opportunity to experience an 1870's-era home entertainment device.
2014
The Wisconsin Antiques Dealers Association recently voted to award a 2014 Grant to the FRIENDS of the Wisconsin Historical Society, continuing founding sponsorship of the "30th Star Benefit Antiques Auction" to be held at Old World Wisconsin April 2016. The $1,000 will be used by the Wisconsin Historical Society to restore yet-unidentified artifacts at Wisconsin historical site.
2013
The Wisconsin Antiques Dealers Association recently voted to award a 2013 Grant to the FRIENDS of the Wisconsin Historical Society, continuing founding sponsorship of the "30th Star Benefit Antiques Auction" to be held at Old World Wisconsin April 26, 2014. The $1,000 will be used by the Wisconsin Historical Society to restore artifacts at Lake Geneva's Black Point Estate, the 1888 retreat of Conrad Seipp, a Chicago brewer.
The Price County Historical Society also received a pledge in the amount of $1,000 for a outdoor painting and maintenance projects at the Old Town Hall Museum located in Fifield, Wisconsin.
2012
Israel Stowell Temperance House, Delavan, Wisconsin, to help in the sealing of the historical site, making it weather tight, vermin proof and secure prior to the beginning of any restoration; $1,000
The Rock County Historical Society, Janesville, Wisconsin, to complete the refurbishment and adaptive re-use of one of a series of exhibit cases to be used in "Treasures of Rock County" showcasing the iconic artifacts and archival items from the RCHS collections; $520
Richfield Historical Society, Richfield, Wisconsin, pledge towards foundation restoration of the Messer/Mayer Mill; $500
2011
New Holstein Historical Society, to create & assemble an 1890s country school display; $1,000
FRIENDS of the Wisconsin Historical Society's "30th Star Benefit Antiques Auction" Sponsorship (& repair of two paintings at WHS important to Wisconsin history); $1,000
2010
Hawks Inn Historical Society, Delafield, Wisconsin; to purchase shake shingles for a badly-needed new roof at their 1846 Greek Revival Stage Coach Inn; $1,000
2009
FRIENDS of the Wisconsin Historical Society's "30th Star Benefit Antiques Auction" Sponsorship (& repair of two paintings at WHS important to Wisconsin history); $1,000
2008
Friends of Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum; Milwaukee, $1,000
Old World Wisconsin, Eagle; $500
Mineral Point Public Library Building Fund, Mineral Point; $500
2007
Lead Region Historic Trust, Inc.,Shullsburg; $1,000
2006
Friends of the L. D. Fargo Library, Lake Mills; $500
Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts, Mineral Point; $500
2005
Rock County Historical Society; $900
Mercer Area Historical Society; $800
Hermann-Grima/Gallier Historic Houses; $800
2004
Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts; $1,000
2003
Lead Region Historic Trust, Inc., Shullsburg; $500
Washington County Historical Society; $500
Art Council of Edgerton; $100
Appleton Art Center; $400
Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum, Milwaukee; $500
1948-2002
The Wisconsin Antiques Dealers Association has a 6-decade history of supporting Wisconsin preservation and conservation efforts.
To Make a Grant Application:
For consideration of funding by the Wisconsin Antiques Dealers Association, please submit the following:
1. A written request
2. A copy of the mission statement
3. A list of board members
4. Financial records for two years
5. An explanation of how the money will be used
6. A form verifying that the requester is a non-profit organization
Our Association requires the grant be used for a specific public-use area project that will help preserve buildings or objects of historical significance. Funding for plaques and/or to benefit private homeowners or businesses is not available.
An organization cannot submit a grant request in two consecutive years.
Winning entity must make representatives available for photos and press releases.
Requests need to be submitted by May 15 of each year.
Send the above to:
Debbie McArdle, Secretary
Wisconsin Antiques Dealers Association, Inc.
6705 Connecticut Trail
Crystal Lake, IL 60012-3125
Hawks Inn Historical Society, Delafield, to aid in replacement of roof.