Monona commission plans May walking tour for 2025 Historic Preservation Month

The Monona Historic Preservation Commission on March 18 discussed plans for a walking tour and companion brochure to mark 2025 Historic Preservation Month, tentatively scheduled for two dates in mid‑ to late May.

Commission members said they have selected roughly six stops and are borrowing brochure templates from the Madison Trust for Historic Preservation to speed preparation. Commissioners said docents from the Trust would likely use a script if the commission supplies research and site descriptions ahead of time.

The commission discussed outreach and sponsorship. The director of MESPA responded enthusiastically to an inquiry about potential brochure advertising, the commission reported, and members said they would follow up with local history volunteers and the Blooming Grove Society to recruit participants and subject‑matter contributors.

Members reviewed available local funds for the project: a general landmarks fund with $665 and a landmarks book fund with $1,509. Commission staff confirmed those accounts can be used for walking‑tour costs. Members agreed to draft brochure text in a shared Google document and pursue printing options (the Madison Trust’s contact suggested Alphagraphics as a printer).

Logistics discussed included timing for newsletter and social media promotion, the need to finalize docent scripts in March or early April, and whether to use the commission’s Monona logo or a new design for the brochure. Commissioners said the first year need not be perfect and that they expect to learn and refine the event for future years.

The commission did not take a binding vote on the walking tour at the meeting; members assigned follow‑up tasks and planned at least one additional meeting before the tour dates.