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Oconomowoc approves $150,000 matching pledge for Historical Society, contingent on private fundraising
Summary
The Common Council approved a $150,000 allocation from tourism reserves to support the Oconomowoc Historical Society’s capital campaign, with a condition that city funds will not be distributed until $150,000 in privately raised matching funds are secured.
The Oconomowoc Common Council voted July 1 to authorize a $150,000 contribution from tourism reserves to the Oconomowoc Historical Society’s capital campaign, with distribution conditional on the society raising $150,000 in private funds.
City staff described the payment as a symbolic kickoff to the Historical Society’s capital campaign for building repairs and upgrades, including exterior resurfacing, restroom renovations for ADA compliance, updated exhibit lighting and improvements to a small theater space used for programming and rentals. “We support that,” city staff member Bob Duffy said during the meeting, describing the society’s needs and the intent to encourage private matching donations.
Justin Agar Pratt, identified in the meeting as the Historical Society’s director, told the council the facility needs exterior repairs and interior upgrades. He described plans to restore some front windows, update restrooms and lighting, and renovate a 50‑seat theater to increase program capacity and rental revenue. “We would love to turn those windows ... back into windows,” he said, and added the theater upgrades would help the museum host school and community programming and generate rental income.
Council discussion focused on how to structure the city’s contribution. Members discussed whether the city payout should be released upon receipt of matching private funds, on invoices, or on another milestone. The council adopted a simple condition. The final resolution includes the clause: “City funds will not be distributed until funds matching $150,000 are privately raised.” City staff indicated the funds are budgeted in the proposed tourism budget for 2026.
The motion passed by roll call. The council recorded ayes from Aldermen Spiegelberg, Mulder, Shellpepper, McConnell, Rosick, Altman Kloth and Ellis. Neither a nay nor abstention was recorded in the roll call recorded at the meeting.
Historical Society director Justin Agar Pratt said the organization plans to move to a public phase of fundraising in the fall and has signed a letter of intent with MSI General for project work, but the society does not need the city funds immediately and expects to sequence construction according to fundraising progress.
Council members and staff said the museum’s location near Roosevelt Park and its programming for school groups and visitors made the project a good fit for tourism reserve funding. The council’s approval authorizes staff to include the $150,000 in the 2026 budget allocations and to distribute city funds after the Historical Society demonstrates privately raised matching funds as required in the adopted resolution.
