FY22 Veterans Memorial Grant

1. Site Description.
The center of gravity of this project is the construction and installation of museum / archive grade display cases with Ultraviolet (UV) protective glass, glass shelving, archive-grade finishing products, and artifact-safe LED lighting. The cabinets/display cases will be professionally constructed according to exacting "museum" standards with locking doors and installed in a heavily trafficked hallway (see uploaded photos and drawings) replacing the existing shelving (17' long by 5' in height) in the historic Backus Community Center (900 5th Street, International Falls, MN) which was formerly the E. W. Backus Junior Highschool. Additionally, this hallway has amazing wall space for the addition display of art, photographs, and wall hangings and space for sculpture or other static / video display and/or interpretive art. The E.W. Backus Junior High was constructed in 1936/37 and now functions as the heart of community activities and the County?s vibrant arts and entertainment life (in its adjacent world class auditorium). For more information about the Backus Community Center please visit https://backusab.org and/or contact Lois Lundin, Backus Community Center Executive Director (218) 285-7225.

2. Site Preparation.
First, the existing shelving will be removed and stored. Next, professional electricians will install wiring to light the display cabinets. Followed by the installation to LED track lighting to better illuminate the hallway and expansive wall space to be used additional display additional patriotic, military and veteran-related art by local artist. We anticipate this art to include paintings, photographs, sculpture, and wall hangings such as flags, quilts, or other fabric type artifacts. Finally, the contractor will install the display cabinets (constructed off-site) and connect the LED lighting system to the cabinet LED lighting.

3. Veteran/Military Artifact, Memorabilia, and Document Collection, Cataloging and Archiving.
Immediately upon notification of award, the Veteran Services Office in conjunction with the Koochiching County Museum and Historical Society will begin advertising and outreach to County Veterans and Veteran Families for military artifacts (disabled firearms, inert munitions, edged weapons (knives, bayonets, swords), TA-50 (military equipment items), uniforms, flags, medals, etc.), documents (award/battle citations, diaries, letters, orders) and military art (photographs, drawings, paintings, "tramp" art, sculpture, etc.). Our partners at the Koochiching Historical Society will accept, inventory, preserve and archive these items as they arrive during normal business hours or during special weekend / outreach events. The professional staff of the Historic Society will assemble and create the displays while appropriately safeguarding and securing the items when not in use or display. Additionally, they will alternate and rotate the displays to highlight specific eras, conflicts, themes and to maintain interest and ?freshness?.

4. Public Access.
The normal hours of operation for the Backus Community Center are Monday ? Friday, 8 am ? 4;30 pm, however, alternate or expanded hours are available for special events on weekends and/or holidays. The Veteran Memorial Display will be available anytime the public has access to the Backus Community Center, i.e. during plays, musical performances or other public meetings/events. Additionally, special showings and tours for school field trips, group events and/or holidays. Currently, the Backus Community has approximately 10,000 visitors per year. It is our belief that this number will increase by at least 30% with the construction of this Veteran's Memorial.

5. Veteran Involvement.
Veterans are and will be involved in all aspects and phases of this project. At the outset, Veterans have been involved in this project by initially providing their ideas and planning support. As the project moves forward, we will call on veterans and veteran families to provide the artifacts and items described above. After the display is completed and opened to the public, we will coordinate Veteran volunteers to interpret the displays and help visitors understand the items, art, and their historical and contextual importance. These Veterans would be especially important during holidays (Veterans Day, Independence Day, Memorial Day, etc.) and special school events or field trips to help our visitors understand and appreciate the displayed items. Our Veterans would also enhance security and safety of the Memorial and display items.