Meetings are held each month, in the Washburn Public Library and are open to the public.
The Historic Preservation Commission is comprised of current City Councilors. Primary duties are to review and study historic properties and sites within the City of Washburn for local historic designation, review applications for Certificate of Appropriateness pertaining to exterior modifications of buildings on the local register, and to educate the community regarding the benefits of historic preservation.
To safeguard the city's heritage by preserving sites and structures; improve property values; protect Washburn's attractions; and support business by educating the public about the need of a historic preservation program.
The Historical Preservation Commission was established in 2003. Several local designations have been created, including the Washburn Family Dentistry building, and The Washburn Cultural Center. Repairs were made to the Memorial Park Kitchen Building.
The Commission created wayfinding signage for historic sites throughout the City. Efforts to collaborate with school staff to encourage student participation in projects is ongoing. Assisting local residents and businesses with preservation efforts and local designations where appropriate is always of interest.
In 2013, Washburn's Residential Historic District was listed on the Wisconsin State Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places, maintained by the National Park Service. Bounded by East Third Street from Central Avenue to Fourth Avenue East, the District contains four duplexes and twenty-six single family homes. Some of the homes were built when the DuPont Company expanded its TNT plant in Barksdale. The factory superintendent and assistant managers lived in the more stately homes on this street, which is also called DuPont Row. The homes were generally built between the 1880s thru the 1930s.
The Commission has hosted a picnic in the late summer commemorating the dedication of the first picnic at Memorial Park. In 1920, DuPont employees, using their own money, organized the first picnic at Memorial Park to honor the veterans of the First World War. In 2015, at the commemorative picnic, the American Legion veterans were special guests and presented a plaque for the obelisk in a ceremony. Robert Mackreth, local historian, spoke about the historical significance of the picnic. Mark Rossow played music from that era. Local businesses donated picnic baskets which were auctioned off as a fundraiser for the Commission. Residents and campers enjoyed the lovely evening on the lakefront. In 2016, the picnic again had donated picnic baskets and music. At this picnic, the Commission provided ice-cream and local families and campers enjoyed croquet and other games.