Our Story

​Milwaukee Preservation Alliance, Inc. is a non-profit organization devoted to promoting stewardship and awareness of the historic, cultural, and economic value of Milwaukee’s built heritage.

MPA aims to strengthen Milwaukee’s neighborhoods by advocating for and promoting their unique cultural spaces and architectural assets in order to foster a strong and vibrant community as well as demonstrating the link between historic preservation and viable economic development.

​​Historic preservation is essential to a strong local economy.

A large and growing body of research is documenting the positive impact that historic preservation has on the economy in six broad areas: 

  • Local Job Growth

  • Property Values

  • Increased Heritage Tourism

  • Smaller Environmental Impact

  • Greater Quality of Life

  • Downtown Revitalization

One of MPA’s primary goals is to continue to promote historic preservation as a valuable economic tool to key decision-makers like elected officials, property owners, developers, and investors. Milwaukee’s character and charm lies within its neighborhoods, and many have been revitalized by the conservation and restoration of their historic fabric.

Meet the Team

Staff

Emma Rudd

Executive Director

Stephanie livingston

Operations Associate

  • I have always been interested in history, probably because of my grandmother and her amazing story telling. That interest in history grew into preservation in college when I started taking classes in historic preservation and community development.

    I deeply believe that getting the community involved is key to saving historic structures and keeping the fabric of Milwaukee's culture alive. I may not have grown up in Milwaukee, but it is now my home and I feel deeply invested in the future of its built environment.

Board of Directors

Joselia Mendiolea

President

  • I’ve always loved old buildings. In addition to admiring their unique details and particular materials, I’ve always been intrigued by the stories they tell about the different ways people have lived in other times and places. This fascination with the use of space led me to a career in architecture with an emphasis in historic preservation. It was through a project helping to develop a long-term vision for the Mitchell Park Domes that I first made a personal connection with the Milwaukee Preservation Alliance. I have happily served on the Board of Directors since 2020.

Claude Krawczyk

Treasurer

  • Claude has counseled business owners for over 30 years primarily in real estate and business transactions.

    Claude was raised on Milwaukee’s South Side as part of a family with an appreciation of history. Much of his adult life outside of his law practice has been devoted to maintaining or restoring our existing built environment.

Zachary shimek

Vice President

  • My interest in family genealogy grew into a passion for historic preservation at young age when I would see my family’s history come to life through the generations old farmsteads that were still standing. Joining the MPA Board after moving to the Milwaukee Metro has allowed me to put my passion to use in my community.

John Rothe

Secretary

  • I'm an Architectural Engineer at ZS Architects & Engineers, where I work in building enclosure assessment and repair. I specialize in the examination, assessment, and restoration through developing repair plans and specifications for historic facades and existing buildings throughout the Midwest.

    I majored in History at UW-Madison, then received a Master's of Architecture at UW-Milwaukee with specialties in historic preservation and ecological design. I've always been fascinated by the built environment, dating back to when I had the opportunity to travel the great cities and monuments of western Europe growing up.

Carl Bahneman

  • My wife and I are happily retired and enjoy all the great things our city has to offer. I worked for 30 years in the financial services software business and in 2019 went back to school to get a masters from UWM in Nonprofit Administration. We travel, hit local estate sales (mostly to see the cool houses) and tend to our half acre native prairie. I serve on a number of other Boards as well

    I have lived most of my life in Milwaukee and always marveled at the cool historic buildings in the city. I have a passion for these structures and I thought my nonprofit background could help a growing organization like MPA. Best decision I ever made.

John Padberg

  • For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had an interest in old buildings and learning about how they were built and the stories they told, especially early American structures. Throughout my career in construction, I found the projects I enjoyed the most were the ones where new life was realized in an existing structure. These projects were the most challenging and most rewarding.  

    In 2015, my wife and I decided to relocate from Chicago to the Milwaukee area and I quickly fell in love with the unique architecture, the historic structures, and the close-knit community.  I currently work for Berglund Construction where I manage the restoration of historic public and private structures in Milwaukee and across the state.  My involvement in the MPA is a natural progression of my work to save and restore historic structures that impact our communities. I believe we are stewards to protect these structures for future generations.

Chelsey Pfiffner

  • I am a public historian and storyteller, and founder of Historic Stevens Point research database. With a strong focus on preserving community, heritage and cultural landscape through active engagement, advocacy, and sometimes direct activism, I have made it my mission to advocate for Milwaukee’s history and structures. Because of my deep love for history, I strive in particular to keep the memory of Milwaukee’s lesser-known pioneers alive for future generations.

Chris Rute

  • I am an architect and principal of CR Design which offers consultation to architects, building & business owners, contractors, and developers regarding building & zoning codes and navigating the whitewater of the entitlement process. My focus is on the building regulations for adaptive reuse of historic buildings.

    My entry into the realm of historic preservation began in the dim and distant past. In 1979, during my undergraduate work at the UWM School of Architecture, I had the opportunity to spend an entire semester studying abroad in London, England. My studio project was the adaptive reuse of the funerary chapel at Highgate Cemetery. This was during my “Goth” period apparently. I also did a study of Victorian funerary symbolism found on grave edifices of the era. I also did a study of the history of decorative arts in Britain from 1066 to the present day (1979).

Tim Smith

  • I’m a lifelong resident of the Milwaukee area. Growing up in a newer suburb of Milwaukee, I was always fond of driving into Milwaukee and seeing the city’s historic structures, whether it be the factories in the Menomonee Valley or the historic homes of the East Side. I also gained a better appreciation of Milwaukee’s architecture at a young age through a summer art class that focused on drawing Milwaukee’s historic buildings. While I never ended up pursuing my childhood dream of becoming in an architect, my love of local history and architecture continues through today.

shannon Winterhalter

  • Growing up in a military family, the foundation for my love of history and architecture was laid at an early age. After moving around the US and Europe, we eventually settled down in the suburbs of Atlanta where I spent my formative years. I went on to study History and Anthropology at the University of Georgia in Athens, where I discovered a field that combined all the aspects I loved most about my studies - historic preservation!

    I moved to Milwaukee to work as an Architectural Historian for a local cultural resource management firm. As I settled into my new city, I became aware of the great work MPA was doing and became a member. In my current position, I work as a consultant preparing National Register Nominations and tax credit applications for adaptive reuse projects throughout the region.

    Having never had a traditional hometown, I feel like Milwaukee has given me that comfort more than any other place I’ve known. I joined the MPA board of directors in 2021 and I am both humbled and excited to be part of this group of such knowledgeable and dedicated people.

Peter Zanghi

  • Peter is Community Engagement Director at CIS, a company that develops green infrastructure in Milwaukee through the Fresh Coast Protection Partnership. His interests in architecture and Milwaukee history led him to join MPA's Board of Directors in 2012 after learning about efforts to save the Soldiers Home. He served as President of the Board from 2016-2024 and leads tours of the Soldiers Home throughout the year.

    When he's not eating custard at Leon’s, his favorite activity is seeing a concert at one of Milwaukee's many historic venues.