Plains Talk Volume 43 Spring/Summer 2012(pdf - the State ...

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“When a Plan Comes Together” The 2011 fiscal year marked a number of important milestones as the State Historical Society of North Dakota and its Foundation moved forward with the expansion project for the North Dakota Heritage Center. A historic $51.7 million expansion of the state museum’s exhibits and collections spaces was approved by the 61st Legislative Assembly in its final hours, on May 2, 2009. The bill appropriated $39.7 million in state funds with an additional $12 million to come from private and other sources. The legislation required that at least $6 million of the private and other funds be pledged before groundbreaking and construction could begin, a goal that was achieved in the fall of 2010. On September 29, 2010, Governor John Hoeven announced additional private gifts from the energy industry of more than $3 million, putting the total amount raised to slightly more than $9 million–enough to trigger the beginning of construction. “This is an exciting day for the North Dakota Heritage Center, a showcase for North Dakota’s rich culture and history,” said Hoeven. Reaching this important fundraising goal led to the October 28, 2010, opening of construction bids for the expansion project. The three prime contractors selected for the expansion project were Comstock Construction Inc. and Scott’s Electric Inc., both headquartered in Wahpeton, North Dakota, and Central Mechanical Inc. of Mandan. A symbolic groundbreaking was held inside the North Dakota Heritage Center on November 23, 2010, as inclement weather Photographs by Brian R. Austin, SHSND Due to the winter weather, a symbolic groundbreaking for the $52 million expansion project was held inside the North Dakota Heritage Center. Turning the soil are (l to r) former Governors Ed Schafer and Allen Olson, SHSND Director Merl Paaverud, SHSND Foundation Executive Director Virginia Nelsen, SHSND Foundation Development Director Marlo Sveen (without shovel), SHSND Foundation President Jon McMillan, Governor John Hoeven, former Governor William Guy, former First Lady Grace Link, and State Historical Board President Chester E. Nelson, Jr. Photograph by Kiri Stone, SHSND (above) Museum staff remove the Fordson tractor from the Bright Dreams and Hard Times exhibit. (right) Staff of the Paleontology Division of the North Dakota Geological Survey remove portions of the State Mineral Collection formerly housed under the Heritage Center Auditorium and in the direct line of construction activities. prevented an outdoor gathering. Among those participating in the groundbreaking were Governor John Hoeven, former Governors William Guy, Allen Olson, and Ed Schafer, and former First Lady Grace Link. Greetings and congratulations were sent by former Governor George Sinner, who was unable to attend. Many other officials also attended the program. One of the first big projects necessary before actual construction could begin was the modification of a corner of the main gallery and the auditorium gallery to prepare for structural work in the spring. SHSND staff removed exhibits and artifacts from the Bright Dreams and Hard Times and Dakota Kids and exhibits in the main gallery and the Creating Sakakawea exhibit in the auditorium gallery in preparation for the construction work. Offices for the Museum Division of the State Historical Society and the Paleontology Division of the North Dakota Geological Survey, both located in the basement adjacent to the new construction area, were also disassembled and moved to temporary locations throughout the building. The next major milestone, and the first visible exterior sign that years of planning and hard work were about to bear fruit, was the beginning of actual construction in March 2011. Initial work during the summer of 2011 included the concrete work, which was followed by erecting the steel supporting beams and new walls. It is estimated that construction will take about two years, continuing into early 2013, followed by the opening of four new exhibit galleries the following two years. Completion of the entire project is targeted for North Dakota’s 125 th anniversary of statehood on November 2, 2014. Fundraising efforts will continue alongside construction to ensure all necessary funds to finish this extraordinary project are in hand. 4 Plains Talk • sPring/summer 2012 Photograph by Brian R. Austin, SHSND
Photograph by Debbie Crossland Photograph by Brian R. Austin, SHSND Fort Buford State Historic Site, which includes the Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center, drew more than 13,000 guests from all 50 states and 28 foreign countries during fiscal year 2011. During this year the site dealt with record snow, rain, and high flood waters from the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers. Despite these issues, Fort Buford and the Confluence Center hosted many events, including tours for area schools, an over-55 class from Dawson College, and classes for the Leadership Program from Sidney, Montana, and Williston, North Dakota. Other educational opportunities included programs on quilting, native plants, astronomy, and paddlefish, as well as two Audubon bird counts. The sites have continued with History Alive! programs featuring Arch Ellwein. Characters he portrayed were Grant Marsh, Vic Smith, Sgt Ordway, and Theodore Roosevelt. Special events held at the sites included instruction in cavalry fighting, weaponry, and horseman- The record rainfalls of the 2011 spring and summer also impacted construction activities at the Heritage Center expansion. Site Developments ship by the 7 th Cavalry reenactors from Missouri and Arkansas. The local 6 th Infantry reenactors helped with the flag raising ceremony at Fort Buford in May and hosted visitors at the summer encampment in August. October visitors enjoyed the crowd favorite Cemetery Walk event at the Fort Buford Cem- Plains Talk • sPring/summer 2012 Members of the 7 th U.S. Cavalry reenactors from Missouri and Arkansas demonstrate cavalry horsemanship at an August 2010 event at Fort Buford. etery. Eight “ghosts” from the cemetery gave presentations on their lives and deaths. Concerts by local musicians were presented on the third Sunday of each month. An “Artist of the Month” program was started in February to give local artists a chance to showcase their art. Each artist displayed several pieces of original art work and had the opportunity to be on site one weekend to sell items. The sites are also involved in the area communities through partnerships with the Chambers of Commerce in Williston and Fairview, the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, and area museums. Each year the Trenton First Responders and Fire Department, along with our site, sponsor an Easter egg hunt for area children. Photograph by Cathy Carlson, SHSND Halloween events at the state historic sites included the Cemetery Walk at Fort Buford cemetery, the Halloween party for Billings County schoolchildren, and the All Hallow’s Eve Ball at the Former Governors’ Mansion. Photograph by Kriss Baxter, SHSND Photograph by Jane Cook, SHSND 5
Page 1 and 2: North Dakota Heritage Center Volume
Page 3: Merlan E. Paaverud, Jr., Director
Page 7 and 8: In fiscal year 2011, new exhibits a
Page 9 and 10: Special summer programs at Ronald R
Page 11 and 12: digital mapping format, the Geograp
Page 13 and 14: Victory: Home Gardening Posters fro
Page 15 and 16: Photograph by Geoffrey Woodcox and
Page 17 and 18: Curator of Education Erik Holland s
Page 19 and 20: • reference requests and website
Page 21 and 22: major donors, special speakers, dir
Page 23 and 24: Great Plains Exhibit Development Pu
Page 25 and 26: September 1-3 Concert at the Chatea
Page 27 and 28: National History Day Award Winners
Page 29 and 30: Photograph by Mark Sundlov Photogra
Page 31 and 32: Photograph by Brian R. Austin, SHSN

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