Dear supporters of the Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum,

We wish to address the current situation related to a programming decision that was made while we are in the midst of a leadership transition. We again apologize for the way in which this decision was communicated to those directly involved. In no way was this decision a statement on any artist, their work, or representation. We deeply appreciate and value our community.

Our mission is preserving history for creative use today. For background, the Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum is currently nearing the end of a three-year-plus process of becoming a museum that uplifts industrial printing history and the making of wood type – which Hamilton is known for around the globe. The museum honors Hamilton's legacy which is intrinsic to the history of Two Rivers, Wisconsin, our home.

This transition has involved a significant investment of time in securing independent non-profit status, acquiring our own physical space, advancing our strategic plan, and conducting a nationwide search for a new executive director. We are now completing that process with the onboarding of an executive director in mid-September. In addition, we are continuing to expand our focus to include preserving, documenting, and exhibiting our collections, while continuing our commitment to type making, printing, and hands-on experiences.

We know this will take considerable time and effort, and, when coupled with recent developments, we think that out of fairness to everyone it is best we cancel our 2025 Wayzgoose conference. Registrants will be refunded. This was a hard decision as we know that it affects our local, national, and international communities, as well as our staff and volunteers who have passionately and diligently prepared for it. Our new executive director will use this time with the Board and staff to focus internally on continuing to improve our overall operations and administrative infrastructure.

We are looking forward to setting a strong foundation with new leadership that will allow the Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum to celebrate the history and technologies we seek to preserve, elevate, and make accessible for many years to come.

Thank you for your ongoing support and understanding,

Board of Directors, Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum

September 9, 2025