Nicollet Co. weighs in on site closing

Requests

MHS, Redwood

Co. reconsider

action

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

ST. PETER -- The Nicollet County Historical Society has made its feelings known regarding July 1 closing of the Lower Sioux Agency Historical Site.

On Wednesday, its Board of Directors unanimously passed a resolution regretting the actions of the Minnesota Historical Society and Redwood County Board of Commissioners and requested reconsideration regarding the closing of the interpretive center and 1862 Agency Warehouse.

Nicollet County Historical Society President Marie Dranttel said all historic sites in Southern Minnesota relating to the Dakota culture, including Fort Ridgely and the Treaty Site History Center, both in Nicollet County, will be diminished by closing the Lower Sioux site.

John Christianson, interim director of the Nicollet County Treaty Site History Center provided his take on the issue.

"I wished the MHS and Redwood County would go back to the table and work out a way to keep the site open," Christianson said. "This is important to the area, state and midwest. It's often left out of history books but is one of very few sites on the 1862 U.S-Dakota War and related to the others in Minnesota."

Christianson said he was disapointed that the Lower Sioux site didn't have the political clout that Fort Snelling had.

In its resolution, the Nicollet County Historical Society said the Lower Sioux Site near Morton:

* skillfully portrayed the underlying causes of the U.S./Dakota conflict of 1862

* taught about Dakota life and culture before the reservation era with creative exhibits and hands-on activities,

* the historic 1861 warehouse is essential in telling the history of the region

The Lower Sioux Site was one of seven in the state put on a closure list last year by the Minnesota Historical Society. The MHS lost $4.3 million of its annual state appropriation last year.

In May, the Minnesota Legislature passed a bill, signed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty that would have allowed the property to be transferred to the Lower Sioux Community.

Last month, Redwood and Yellow Medicine County commissioners and the

Sherman Township Board voted against allowing the MHS to transfer ownership of the property to the Lower Sioux Agency.

Most local government officials agreed it was in the best interest of the public to avoid giving away the property.

The Lower Sioux Community donated about $85,000 to keep the site open over the past year.

"We care deeply for this important place and want to preserve it and keep it open for all Minnesotans," said Ann Larsen, Lower Sioux Tribal Chairperson.

Nina Archibal, MHS director, said everyone is grateful to the Lower Sioux Community for its support.

"We look forward to continuing conversations with them and other concerned citizens," Archibal said.

Trails, some of which are wheelchair accessible, and interpretive markers remain open for public use at the site, according to former site manager Mary Talbott.

Brochures including maps will be available outside the main entrance to the interpretive center. Signs and exhibits at the Lower Sioux site will remain in place, making it easy for a possible reopening at a later date, should support be provided.

Events at the Lower Sioux Agency had a dramatic impact on Dakota and

non-Dakota people in the region. The U.S. government established the Lower Sioux Agency in 1853 as an administrative center to oversee the newly-created Dakota Reservation.

During its 10-year history, the agency became a symbol to the Dakota people of oppression and forced assimilation. It was the scene of the first organized attack in the 1862 U.S.-Dakota War.

The site includes three trails, two of them easy to travel. A third trail is very steep, directly up the bluff from the Minnesota River. Interpretive markers and an overlook are on site.

The Fort Ridgely State Park Interpretive Center was also on the MHS closure list last year. The Friends of Fort Ridgely and MHS are expected to sign an 18-month contract June 1 to continue to operate that site.

Plans call for it to remain open Friday through Sunday until Labor Day.