Milwaukee Preservation Alliance

Save the soldiers home is a project to restore a national historic landmark. The soldiers home was established as a place for civil war soldiers to recuperate and transition back into society. Todays veterans continue to believe its regenerative powers should remain accessible to aging veterans and soldiers returning from iraq and afghanistan. The organization is part of an enhanced use lease (eul) agreement with the u.s. department of veterans affairs (va), the alexander company and the housing authority of the city of Milwaukee led a team chosen by the va to restore and rehabilitate six of the Milwaukee va soldiers home historic district's buildings. We were excited to offer free guided walking tours of the soldiers home this year to show off the nationally recognized Preservation success at old main. Our work on finding new uses for the still vacant and endangered soldiers home chapel, theater, and governor's mansion continued as well, as the va moves closer to an agreement or rfp for their rehabilitation.

Our treasured and iconic mitchell park domes remain at a critical juncture. We continue to work with decision makers to ensure they understand the many tools available that can enable the long-term Preservation solution the public has consistently supported. This work has helped advance efforts at the county to move forward with decision-making about the future of the domes. We were excited to expand our engaging public education programs as well. Hundreds of participants attended our programs this year, exploring sites of importance to the latinx community, visiting frederick law olmsted's Milwaukee park legacy, engaging with books inspired by Milwaukee's built environment, and gathering for networking opportunities.as the only organization in Milwaukee devoted to Preservation advocacy, mpa also continues to be a voice for our incredible historic places and the people who love them. From the 1919 columbia hospital building to the countless older homes that provide important naturally occurring affordable housing and beyond, we worked tirelessly to make sure the heritage, economic, and environmental benefits of historic Preservation were recognized as decisions were made about the future of our city.