How we documented the history of the Waukesha County Community Foundation
Written by Emily Gillingham, WCCF Communication Specialist
Email Emily at egillingham@waukeshafoundation.org
Every organization has a story—a unique journey filled with milestones, challenges, and triumphs. For the Waukesha County Community Foundation (WCCF), our story is more than just a collection of dates and events; it’s a living testament to the people who have poured their hearts into making a difference in their community.
As the Communication Specialist at the WCCF, I’ve had the privilege of working with some incredible people to capture their stories and how our organization plays a role in their overall philanthropic journey. Recently, I had the unique opportunity to collaborate with Malcolm McDowell Woods, a talented researcher and author tasked with capturing our history as we approached our 25th anniversary. Malcolm’s expertise and passion for storytelling have been invaluable in bringing our organization’s history to life.
The Challenge of Telling the Whole Story
When it came to documenting the WCCF’s history, Malcolm and I first grappled with the daunting task of deciding where to start and what to include. After all, 25 years of impact in Waukesha County is a lot to cover! And for an organization that has touched countless lives, there’s no shortage of stories to tell.
From the beginning, Malcolm emphasized the importance of fully telling the story of our founding—those pivotal, early days when a group of dedicated individuals came together with a shared vision for making Waukesha County a better place. What came through clearly in the interviews Malcolm conducted was the dedication and love these individuals had for their community.
But gathering the stories was just one part of the task. As I was designing the commemorative booklet, we also needed to find photos and visual elements that would bring those stories to life. And that’s where we hit another snag. Finding the right photos can be tricky—especially when you’re looking for images from the 1990s, where taking group pictures or selfies just wasn’t the norm.
That’s when our President, Melissa Baxter, drew on her journalism background to reach out to Peter’s past employer, Quarles. We hoped they might have something tucked away in their archives, and luckily, they did! They provided us with an archived headshot from Peter’s tenure there, and it was exactly what we needed.
This experience highlighted an important lesson: preserving history isn’t just about the stories—it’s about the visuals, too. Photos, documents, and other memorabilia help bring the past to life in a way that words alone can’t. And when you’re trying to capture the spirit of an organization like the WCCF, every detail matters.
Bringing Our History to Life
Capturing the WCCF’s history wasn’t just about compiling a list of dates and events. We wanted to bring this story to life, making it feel real and relatable. That’s why we placed so much emphasis on interviews. We weren’t just looking for information; we were looking for the heart behind the actions.
Malcolm’s approach to focus on oral histories was both thoughtful and intentional. A special part of his interview process involved setting down his pen but leaving the recorder running to capture relaxed, genuine anecdotes from his subjects. “The story of any organization is ultimately the story of the people involved,” he told me. And I couldn’t agree more. Listening to the stories of those who were there during the pivotal moments brought our history to life in a way that meeting minutes and reports never could.
Of course, we didn’t rely solely on interviews. Malcolm also had access to a wealth of documents—newsletters, annual reports, board meeting minutes, and promotional materials—that provided a solid base for his work. But it was the personal stories that really made the history come alive. Hearing firsthand accounts of why certain decisions were made and what the motivations were behind key actions gave us a deeper understanding of what the WCCF stands for – making Waukesha County a better place for everyone.
“The story of any organization is ultimately the story of the people involved,”
– Malcolm McDowell Woods
Why Preservation Matters
So, why did we go through all this effort to capture the WCCF’s history? Because it matters—not just to us, but to the future of the Foundation. Organizations like ours grow and change over time, and having well-documented history helps us stay true to our roots. It’s not just about preserving the past—it’s about guiding our future.
Malcolm put it best when he said, “A good, recorded history becomes a valuable tool for education, reminding people in the present day of the original motivations of the organization.” For the WCCF, our history is a living resource that helps us stay true to our mission of meeting local challenges and improving the quality of life in our community. Moreover, preserving our history is an act of stewardship. It ensures the knowledge, experiences, and values that have shaped the organization are passed on.
For Good. For Ever.
Advice for Preserving Your Own History
If you’re part of an organization and you’re thinking about preserving its history, let me share some advice from Malcolm that I found incredibly valuable. First, don’t wait. Start documenting now, because the people who can tell the story firsthand won’t always be around. “If you wait too long, the people you really need to hear from will be gone,” Malcolm warned.
Second, make a habit of keeping records—not just the official documents, but also the little things that might seem insignificant now. Whether it’s digital files, notes, or even a box of memorabilia, these pieces of history are worth preserving. Think of it as stocking a time capsule each year, filled with moments future generations will look back on.
Finally, remember it’s not just about what happened—it’s about how people felt and why they made the choices they made. Capturing emotional context adds depth to your history and helps future historians truly understand your organization’s journey.
Looking Ahead
As the WCCF continues its work in the community, the importance of documenting our history becomes even clearer. It’s not just about looking back—it’s about honoring the people who have built this organization and ensuring their legacy lives on.
I’m incredibly proud of the work we’ve done to capture the WCCF’s story, and I’m grateful to Malcolm for his dedication to this project. Together, we’ve created something that will inspire and inform future generations of WCCF supporters. And that, to me, is what preserving a legacy is all about.
We are also very grateful to John Macy, a long-time champion of capturing our history, for sponsoring the research and writing that brought this project to life, and to the Donald J and Betty Lou Tikalsky Community Fund for supporting the printing costs of our commemorative booklet.
