05/19/2026
On May 15, the Wisconsin State Review Board approved the Mitchell Park Domes' nomination to the National Register of Historic Places — a major milestone that places the Domes on the State Register of Historic Places and sends the nomination to the National Park Service for final review.
The National Register is the United States' official list of places deemed worthy of preservation for their historic, architectural, or cultural significance. Donald Grieb's design is one of the most architecturally distinctive civic structures in the Midwest — and the only conoidal glass domes in the world. In September of 1965, First Lady Lady Bird Johnson traveled to Milwaukee to dedicate the Show Dome, calling it "Milwaukee's exciting new astrodomes for nature." Sixty years later, that significance has only deepened.
The Domes have already been recognized as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and named among America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. State Register listing is the next chapter in that story — and once NPS approval comes through, the Domes will officially join the National Register.
This recognition is the result of years of work by the Milwaukee Domes Alliance, our CEO Christa Beall Diefenbach, CNP, and our board — with a shout out to Milwaukee Preservation Alliance and the many advocates, elected officials, and community members who helped shine a light on this iconic treasure.
The Domes have always belonged to Milwaukee. Now they take their place on the state stage — and we are one step closer to the future they deserve.
Milwaukee Preservation Alliance, Inc.
