The State Historical Society of Wisconsin was incorporated by act of the legislature.

The evidence

• “By an act of the legislature approved March 4, 1853, the "State Historical Society of Wisconsin" was incorporated — having been previously organized — the object being to collect, ■embody, arrange and preserve in authentic form, a library of books, pamphlets, maps, charts, manuscripts, papers, paintings, statuary and other materials illustrative of the history of the State; to rescue from oblivion the memory of its early pioneers.- and to obtain and preserve narratives of their exploits, perils, and hardy adventures ; to exhibit faithfully the antiquities, ■and the past and present condition, and resources of Wisconsin. The society was also authorized to take proper steps to promote the study of history by lectures, and to diff'use and publish information relating to the description and history of the State.”

  1879-history-of-rock-county/02-wisconsin-as-a-state.md, PDF p. 57 / book p. 61

  Butterfield, C. W., et al. The History of Rock County, Wisconsin: its early settlement, growth, development, resources, etc. Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1879. Cornell University Library via the Internet Archive, archive.org/details/cu31924028871585.

  Grade A: Found on a page of one of our sources