Preserving Kabekona Lake's Heritage and History
Statewide Historic and Cultural Grants. $5,250,000 the first year and $5,250,000 the second year are for history programs and projects operated or conducted by or through local, county, regional, or other historical or cultural organizations; or for activities to preserve significant historic and cultural resources.
By all possible criteria this project has been very successful. The enthusiasm of the entire KLA membership has been generated. A system for gathering, cataloging and carefully preserving and filing historically relevant materials is in place, with further work to be done with additional materials to be placed in the archive. The cooperation of the Laporte School has been outstanding. Two file cabinets are safely located in the safest part of this new building, already holding the nearly 3000 items collected thus far.
All measurable Short-term outcomes as identified in the grant application were achieved. The consultant made 2 visits to the lake in 2013 and 1 in 2014, attending KLA events and meeting with KLA members and others. She spent considerable time with the project director both at the lake and in the Twin Cities, giving guidance so that he could, in turn train other volunteers at the lake.
Likewise, the intermediate range goals have largely been fulfilled. Work took place in the Twin Cities with discussions with the consultant. Records of early treaties and land transfers have been located and partially cataloged. Finding records of land ownership for individual properties has proven to be a much more difficult and time-consuming activity, and so has been set aside temporarily. On the other hand, much of the work has focused on dealing with the materials at hand and that has involved more time than estimated. The good results were produced by the high competence of Lydia Lucas, and by the enthusiastic participation of KLA members.
As to long-term goals, the creation of an archive is never completed. Newly created items must be added, and other, older items will still be uncovered. However, KLA is committed to maintaining the archive and making it available to interested parties