Preservation Month

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May is National Preservation Month!

Preservation Month was established by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1973, as a month to celebrate historic places worthy of preservation across the country. Each year in May, historical societies, local preservation groups and municipalities plan events to showcase their local historic places to instill community pride, show the benefits of historic preservation and promote tourism. 

The Landmarks Commission is celebrating Preservation Month by spotlighting the International Style homes in Monona. The International Style was popular from 1930 through 1945. The style is characterized by a flat roof; windows set flush with the outer walls; smooth, unadorned wall surfaces typically clad in stucco; and an asymmetrical façade. International Style buildings may appear boxy, simplistic, and completely abstract with flat roofs. Cantilevered projections are common, and windows tend to be used in groups or in vertical or horizontal ribbons. Monona has a particularly high concentration of International Style houses, especially in Frost Woods. Examples in Monona include the Paul Harris House at 411 W. Dean Avenue and the Thomas House at 5903 Winnequah Road.

The Landmarks Commission are looking to gather more information on these properties in celebration of Preservation Month. You are encouraged to provide more information by either completing this form, or by emailing City Planner Doug Plowman at dplowman@ci.monona.wi.us.

Thomas House_oldPaul Harris House_old
5903 Winnequah Rd411 W Dean Ave
6108 Winnequah Rd809 Owen Rd_old
6108 Winnequah Rd809 Owen Rd


Local History Book Publication and Sale

The Landmarks Commission published City of Monona: Its Heritage and Landmarks in 2011. The book features history, interviews, stories, text, and photographs of early farms, homes, cottages, Native American, and Monona sites. The book also includes a large pullout map of all 22 Monona Landmarks. 

Copies are available for purchase for $15 at City Hall, 5211 Schluter Rd.


Read about all the historical properties in Monona in the Survey of Historical and Architectural Sites, conducted in 2019.