The Ward County Historical Society Museum, which suffered about $1 million in damage when it was flooded last summer, is gearing up for the North Dakota State Fair.
Director Sue Bergan said the historical society board hopes to have the facades of some of the flooded buildings refurbished in time for the fair. The outside of the livery stable is being sided and work is also being done on buildings such as the historic courthouse and the log cabin on the grounds. Museum staff will be on hand to give tours of the grounds during the fair.
Bergan said people might be able to go inside the livery stable if it is ready by then, but in most cases, people will not be able to go inside the museum buildings, which are not yet ready for viewing.
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Andrea Johnson/MDN
Ward County Historical Society director Sue Bergan and summer intern Abigail Kyner stand by a donations box. The museum staff will be giving tours of the flooded museum grounds during the North Dakota State Fair next month.
The work is being done by contractor Genesis Contracting of Burlington and FEMA funding is paying for some of the recovery work.
Bergan said the tours during the fair will give people a chance to see the damage that was done by the flood and the amount of recovery that has already taken place. The museum is also still in need of financial donations.
Local artist Deanna Jundt of Pictures on the Prairie will also have a booth set up at the museum during the fair.
Democratic candidates Heidi Heitkamp, Pam Gulleson, and Ryan Taylor will be among volunteers at the museum from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. The volunteers will plant flowers at the Samuelson House that are being donated by Lowe's Garden Center and will also help paint benches. Bergan said more volunteers would be welcome.