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Good preliminary news for Ward County Historical Society

There is good news from the Ward County Historical Society and its Pioneer Village.

According to the historical society, the Ward County Historical Society’s Pioneer Village will be relocated to the south side of Burlington on the U.S. 2 and 52 Bypass.

As reported in yesterday’s Minot Daily News, the land is owned by the De Sour Valley Economic Development Corp., said Andy Fimrite, president, and was purchased from a private landowner. Fimrite said the economic development board would meet Thursday evening to discuss the deal.

Fimrite like earlier advocates of a move to Burlington have pointed out that Burlington was the original county seat, and would be a great location for the museum. The original county courthouse is currently located at the museum on the fairgrounds and it would be returning to its original location in Burlington.

The need for the move became critical after the historical society lost a long-running legal battle to keep the museum on the North Dakota State Fairgrounds. A judge ruled in favor of the North Dakota State Fair, which has been trying to evict the museum from the fairgrounds.

A number of proposals – often vague – had been batted around or talked about since the legal decision.

Challenges still remain. More details about the proposed relocation will be forthcoming within the next few weeks. Additionally, there is the question of raising enough money to relocate the structures in the village. The historical society wants to relocate 12 significant buildings to any new site and a fundraising effort continues.

Despite obstacles yet to be overcome, it is good news that there has been obvious progress in efforts at preserving the Pioneer Village, and that there remains interest in providing a home for this important piece of our history.

Minot Daily News wishes the historical society the best of luck in its ongoing efforts.

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