The Wisconsin Historical Society defines "personal use" as displaying a print of a historical image from our collections in one’s private residence, or giving it as a gift for display in their private residence.

The Society defines "commercial or non-profit use" as any use of historical images from our collections outside the home for commercial or non-profit purposes including but not limited to publication, public or business display, and web use. If you aren’t sure whether your intended use is personal or commercial/non-profit, please contact the WHI Business Manager at imagesales@wisconsinhistory.org.

1. To purchase a print through the online store, begin by searching our visual materials and clicking on the image you wish to order.
2. Click the "Buy" button beneath the image.
3. Follow the checkout process and make a secure payment online with your credit card.

To purchase prints or digital files for commercial/non-profit use, fill out an Image Order Form and a Permission Request Form and email them as two separate attachments to imagesales@wisconsinhistory.org. You’ll receive a fee quote and payment information when your forms are received.

No, you must order prints of all images from the digital lab at the Wisconsin Historical Society. Please see our Terms of Agreement for more information.

• Price List for Historical Images

To place a tax-exempt order, fill out an Image Order Form and a Permission Request Form and email them as two separate attachments to imagesales@wisconsinhistory.org. You’ll receive a fee quote and payment information when your forms are received.

Links to digital files of images for commercial/non-profit use will be emailed to you. Please make sure we have the correct email address for you.

Shipping fees are calculated at checkout and vary by parcel size, weight, and destination.

Notes: Prints 11x14 or larger are shipped in reinforced tubes. Prints smaller than 11x14 are shipped in envelopes with cardboard.

• Prints are mailed within ten business days.
• Digital files are sent within five business days.
• Images not available online are sent within two weeks.
• Rush delivery available for an additional fee. Email imagesales@wisconsinhistory.org for more information.
• Orders for a large number of images or for canvas prints may require a longer turnaround time.

Most images are scanned on a flatbed scanner at 400 pixels per inch (ppi) at 8x10 inches. Larger items are usually scanned at 300 ppi, smaller items are scanned at higher resolutions depending on size. All images are color-corrected to closely match the original. Prints are made on archival quality paper with pigment-based inks.

The Wisconsin Historical Society does not own the copyright to most images in our collections, but grants permission as the owner of the photographs and documents. It is your responsibility to obtain consent from the copyright owner for use of any image with a copyright restriction. See more about permissions and copyright.

Yes, in many cases we can digitally retouch images to fix damaged areas or adjust for other problems. Email an inquiry to imagesales@wisconsinhistory.org to discuss options. See more information about fees for retouching in our Image Price List.

Yes, download the Order Form and email it to imagesales@wisconsinhistory.org. Note, please be sure to include: image ID number, negative number or collection number. You’ll receive a fee quote and payment information when the form is received.