Relocating the Historical Society - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Relocating the Historical Society

Preserving the past, and making way for progress.
That was the discussion at hand on Thursday at the North Dakota State Fair Association meeting.

The Ward County Historical Society has occupied the southwest corner of the North Dakota State Fairgrounds for years.
As the year-round use of the fairground facilities increases, the fair association board would like the Pioneer Village museum relocated.

(Renee Korslien, NDSF General Manager) "This is the area right here that has the historical society housed in it right now. We would build and access road right here that would shoot all the way to the State Fair Center which is really crucial for safety. That's the other thing, we need to come up with an area that can be a permanent location for when the sheriff's department is here for the events, the fire department, first aid... making the whole area safe for all of us."

A legal agreement signed in 1966 between the State Fair Association and the organization then known as the Northwest North Dakota Historical Society stated that 'the North Dakota State Fair Association will allow the Northwest North Dakota Historical Society to maintain and operate its building located on the fairgrounds.
Korslien says, at that time, it was only ONE building - a steal structure.
However, the Ward County Historical Society members say they do NOT have the money to relocate the thirteen buildings on the grounds.

(Bruce Brooks, Ward Co. Historical Society Treasurer) "I understand that we have to accommodate progress. There's no question about that. I just hope that at the same time, we can preserve and accommodate the past."

The North Dakota State Fair Board is operating on a five-year-plan that will include expansion announcements in the near future.
Both parties are open to possible solutions from the community.