The exterior of the house has had a makeover, thanks to a volunteer and paid team headed up by Ward County Historical Society member Sheldon Albertson. Any compromised exterior wood, such as at the window sills, have been made like new again. All the glazing on the many windows of the house have been replaced, the exterior siding has been sand blasted with a glass beading process down to the virgin wood, and storm windows have been reconditioned. All this with final coatings of primer paint and three layers of exterior white and forest green trim paint.

The 116 year old Samuelson House holds many historical artifacts at Pioneer Village. John W. Samuelson, came from Sweden, in 1879, as a baby, and at the age of 19 started the Samuelson’s Shoe Store on South Main Street. The store is the longest held family business in Minot’s history. John married Mary Johnson, whose parents homesteaded southwest of Minot, in 1887, and they had four children – Harlow, Ansel, Alice and Carl.

H.J. Melos of Minot had the “Sam House” built in 1909. In 1922, John W. Samuelson, bought the large house and they raised their family there. In the early 1930s the Samuelson House underwent a remodel, with the upstairs and downstairs both upgraded to having living quarters complete with kitchen and bath. Then in 1939, a bedroom wing was added to the north side that included a full bath and two walk-in closets to accommodate an elderly family member.

In 1970 the house was donated to the Ward County Historical Society by the Samuelson family, moved to the fairgrounds and eventually relocated again to the Pioneer Village, where so many visitors have enjoyed the architecture of the house and the artifacts it contains.

The Samuelson House undergoes renovation at Pioneer Village at Burlington.

Thanks to all the individuals and families who donated to the Samuelson House exterior restoration and special thanks to the substantial gifts made by both the Eastwood Park Association and the Landing Bar and Bottleshop for making this project a reality.

Current larger projects the Society is seeking donation funding for – if individuals, organizations or businesses would like information on – are a new Gun Museum building, insulating and heating/cooling of our Caswell Restoration building, Children’s Carousel restoration project and a new Car Museum building. Call 839-0785.