MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Historical Society announced in November that Josh Leventhal has been named the new director of the Wisconsin Historical Society Press. Leventhal takes the helm from director Kate Thompson and is charged with continuing the Press’s 168-year-long dedication to connecting people with the past by publishing the best in Wisconsin history and culture.

“We are delighted to announce that Josh Leventhal has come on board to lead the Society Press and help move us forward through this pivotal and exciting time in our organization’s history,” said Angela Titus, assistant deputy director and chief program officer for the Wisconsin Historical Society. Leventhal will direct the ways that Press books bring the past—and unique Wisconsin stories—to general, academic, and educational audiences of all ages throughout Wisconsin, the Midwest, and the nation. He will continue to build the Press’s reputation for producing award-winning publications with enduring historical and cultural value as part of the Wisconsin Historical Society’s mission to collect, preserve, and share the state’s history.

“I am truly thrilled and honored to be joining the Wisconsin Historical Society Press as its director,” Leventhal said. “The Press has such a deep and well-respected tradition of publishing informative and engaging books about Wisconsin and the larger region. It is an exciting time to be coming on board as the Press expands the stories and voices it shares to present a full picture of Wisconsin’s history, peoples, and culture.”

Prior to coming to WHS Press, Leventhal served for seven years as director of the Minnesota Historical Society Press and for two years as an acquisitions editor there. He has more than 30 years of experience in publishing, working as an editor of nonfiction books at a variety of presses in New York, Portland (Ore.), and the Twin Cities.

Kate Thompson, who served as Press director from 2018 to 2023, is returning to her role as Acquisitions Editor at the Press, a role she held for 15 years. “We are so grateful to be retaining Kate’s talents within the Press as we grow our children and young adult list, and in anticipation of the new history center opening in 2026,” said Titus. “She has done a phenomenal job and laid a great foundation for Josh. This move allows her to return to her first love, acquiring books that share Wisconsin’s distinctive stories.”