Plans continue for revitalizing Fort Snelling

ST. PAUL, Minn. _ The Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) is moving forward to ensure that a revitalized Historic Fort Snelling is ready in time for its bicentennial in 2020.

MNHS is continuing to seek $34 million in state support for a much-needed revitalization and renovation of Fort Snelling. Gov. Mark Dayton has included this request in his capital budget recommendations since 2015.

“The need is critical,” says MNHS Director and CEO D. Stephen Elliott. “The current visitor center’s chronic, serious maintenance issues, coupled with the site’s confusing navigation, challenges our ability to present programs and serve the public. Historic Fort Snelling is the state’s first National Historic Landmark, home to Minnesota’s oldest structure and residence, and part of the state’s network of historic sites. While maintaining the state’s infrastructure is prudent, ensuring the care of Minnesota’s irreplaceable cultural heritage for future generations is a pressing priority—and getting Fort Snelling in shape for its 2020 bicentennial must be a 2017 funding imperative.”

In order to keep the project moving forward, MNHS is using non-state funds to hire Leo A Daly architects and Mortenson Construction to begin schematic design this summer.

About Historic Fort Snelling

Historic Fort Snelling is located near the MSP airport at the intersection of Hwys. 5 and 55 overlooking the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers. Originally a frontier outpost, the fort and surrounding buildings were later used for military training from the Civil War through World War II. Human history in the area dates back at least 10,000 years. Historic Fort Snelling is Minnesota’s first National Historic Landmark and a member of the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience.