Forest History Exhibit and Education Center

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2012 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$50,000
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
Beltrami County Agricultural Association
Recipient Type
Non-Profit Business/Entity
Status
In Progress
Start Date
April 2012
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Beltrami
Beltrami
Project Overview

To construct an exhibit building adjacent to the fire tower now located on the Beltrami County Fairgrounds. The new building will replicate an authentic 1950s ranger station and will house an exhibit of Minnesota forest fire service activity, Ojibwa cultural history, a display of Paul Bunyan legends and artifacts, and space for historical, cultural and environmental education.

Much of Beltrami County is forested land and portions of two state forests are located within its boundaries. In early days, logging and lumbering were major economic activities and gave the county a rich lumberjack heritage. This new exhibit space will compliment the Pinewood forest lookout fire tower that is already on the fairgrounds.

Competitive Grant Making Body
Advisory Group Members and Qualifications

Sue Ellingsen: Former middle school Band Director at Blue Earth Area Public School. 2006 Blue Earth Area Teacher of the Year.
Ron Oleheiser: District 8 Representative of the Minnesota State Fair.
Dan Grunhovd: Past president of the Minnesota Federation of County Fairs.
Pat Coleman: Acquisitions Librarian at the Minnesota Historical Society.
Jamey Flannery: Project Manager at Flannery Construction. Has full range of general contracting experience, from new construction to remodeling to improving historical structures.

Conflict of Interest Disclosed
No
Legal Citation / Subdivision
2011 Laws of Minnesota, Article 4, Section 2, Subdivison 10
Appropriation Language

These amounts are appropriated to the commissioner of agriculture for grants to county agricultural societies to enhance arts access and education and to preserve and promote Minnesota's history and cultural heritage as embodied in its county fairs. The grants shall be in addition to the aid distributed to county agricultural societies under Minnesota Statutes, section 38.02. The commissioner shall award grants as follows: (2) $700,000 each year for a competitive Arts and Cultural Heritage Grants Program-County Fairs. The commissioner shall award grants for the development or enhancement of county fair facilities or other projects or programs that provide access to the arts, arts education, or agricultural, historical, and cultural heritage programs, including but not limited to agricultural education centers, arts buildings, and performance stages.

2012 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$50,000
Other Funds Leveraged
$29,000
Direct expenses
$79,000
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Observe and record the reactions of visitors in a guest book.Keep accurate daily and yearly attendance records as a point of reference and growth.

Source of Additional Funds

Beltrami County Development Grant, private donation, community fundraising

Recipient Board Members
Paul Hokuf
Vern Holzhueter
Kelly Fossand
Sue Wells
Beryl Wernberg
Bob Smith
Rose Erickson
Project Manager
First Name
Paul
Last Name
Hokuf
Organization Name
Beltrami County Agricultural Society
Street Address
PO Box 1057
City
Bemidji
State
MN
Zip Code
55619
Phone
218-444-8169
Email
bcmnfair@paulbunyan.net
Administered By
Administered by
Location

625 Robert Street North
St. Paul, MN 55155

Phone
651-201-6000
Email the Agency