FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions - Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS) Online Store

Holiday Ordering & Shipping 2024:

• Order early to avoid holiday shipping delays. WHS is not responsible for shipping delays.
• The WHS online store does not offer local pickup or curbside service. More info about shopping locally is below.
• Items from different departments might ship from different warehouses, and different shipping deadlines may apply:
• Retail gifts and apparel: Dec. 19, 2024. This includes books that ship from the same fulfillment center as gifts and apparel (not WHS Press books). Allow extra time for processing and delivery in November and December.
• WHS Press books: Dec. 7, 2024. WHS Press books are marked with a blue WHS Press badge in the online store. They ship from a distribution center in Chicago. Allow extra time for processing and delivery in November and December. 
• Historic Image Prints: Dec. 10, 2024. Allow extra time for processing and delivery in November and December. imagesales@wisconsinhistory.org.

Other Shipping Questions

• I am in Madison, can I order online and pick it up? No. The WHS online store fulfillment center does not offer on-site or curbside pickup. To shop locally, please visit our History Maker Space on Capitol Square. Plan your visit:  https://historicalmuseum.wisconsinhistory.org/plan/ 
• Will my order arrive in one package? Some items in the WHS online store are shipped from different locations. Orders containing a mix of these items will ship separately and will have increased shipping costs. Items shipping from different locations include the following:
  • historic image prints
  • WHS Press books
  • retail gifts, apparel, and books other than Society Press books
  • vital records (paper copies)
  • Items shipped by third party vendors (will be stated in product description)
• What shipping options does the WHS online store offer?
  • The online store ships USPS Priority Mail for most items and orders. Rates for most items are based on parcel size, weight, and destination. Large images and items shipped by third party vendors may be shipped by alternative shipping services.
  • Society Press books ship via USPS Priority Mail at a rate of $8.00 for the first book and $2.50 for additional Press books (subject to change). In the online store, Society Press books have a blue “Society Press” badge over the product image, and they ship from our book distributor located in Chicago.
  • Can my order be shipped as a gift to an alternate address? Orders placed with the Society’s online store can be shipped to gift recipients with U.S. addresses. To send to an alternate address, first uncheck the “Ship to same address” box during checkout; then, in the dropdown menu, select “new address.” For assistance, call 608-261-9366, Monday-Friday.
• Does your online store ship internationally? The online store only ships to U.S. addresses at this time. Additionally, customers with some foreign addresses may not be able to check out due to technical limitations, even if the items are non-shipping items (e.g. digital records).

Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS) Member Discounts

• How do I get my member discount in the Society's online store? Go to the shopping cart page to review the items in your cart. The link to the shopping cart is at the top right corner. Under the list of items is a space to enter a discount code.  Enter your member number in the discount code box and click "Apply discount." If you have questions about our membership or wish to join: Call 1-888-748-7479 (toll free) or by email,  membership@wisconsinhistory.org.
• Does the member discount apply to all items? Some items are excluded from member discounts, including but not limited to items already on sale and annual State Capitol ornaments. Shipping is not discounted.
• How much is the member discount? The member discount is 10% off applicable items. Does the member discount double to 20% for the month of May? Yes it does!

Checkout Support:

• Who do I contact if I have a question about a product or need assistance checking out? Email is preferred: shop@wisconsinhistory.org. In-person telephone coverage is part-time, and we will do our best to return messages: 608-261-9366. Thank you for your patience. 

Shopping Locally 

• Can I come to "the store" and shop in person? The WHS online store's fulfillment center and product selections are separate from stores at our historic sites around the state. In-person shopping in Madision, WI, is possible at the History Maker Space at 1 S. Pinckney St.  Plan Your Vist. (In-person shopping is also possible at other historic sites during their open hours; check individual site information online.)

Tax Exempt Purchases

• Can I place a tax-exempt order online? WHS honors the tax-exempt status of eligible institutions and requires supporting documentation (e.g. Wisconsin Form S-211).  For specific information about ordering different products, please review the following guidance:
  • WHS Press books How to Purchase Wisconsin Historical Society Press Books
  • Historic image reproductions: FAQ’s About Buying Historical Images.
  • Retail gifts and apparel, contact shop@wisconsinhistory.org or call 608-261-9366.
  • Out-of-state orders are not charged sales tax at this time.
  • Purchasing Wisconsin Adventures items for schools and libraries: Email us in advance to set up a tax exempt account.
• How do I purchase WHS Press books for my library or classroom? Please visit How to Purchase Wisconsin Historical Society Press Books for instructions. To order titles that are not Society Press books, contact shop@wisconsinhistory.org. 

Apparel Sizing

• What sizes are your shirts? Unless stated otherwise on the product pages, shirts on the WHS online store are standard, unisex sizing. 

Other Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the WHS online store's return policy? Please see our Return Policy.
• My order arrived damaged, or I received the wrong item. Please see our Return Policy.
• Are all of the products sold in the Wisconsin Historical Museum and other WHS historic sites available online? No. The Society’s online store is separate from the stores at the WHS historic sites, and all of the sites’ stores carry different products. The online store offers a selection of products found in those stores, and a few are exclusively offered online.
• How can I find out about the status of my order? What if I need to change or cancel an order? If you registered as a customer in the online store, you can login and check your order status. Customers can also email shop@wisconsinhistory.org. To change an existing order, it is usually necessary to cancel the original order and place a new order. Contact the appropriate department with questions. Please see our Contact Us page.
• I make a product that would be great in your store; who do I contact? New products are reviewed periodically, and the WHS retail program favors items made in Wisconsin and products related to Wisconsin themes. Potential vendors may send an email to shop@wisconsinhistory.org. Please write “Product for your consideration” in the subject line. The WHS retail team does not respond to all direct inquiries.
• Can I purchase WHS products to sell in my store? Possibly, yes. Please send an email to shop@wisconsinhistory.org and list the products in which you are interested in purchasing for resale.