COOPERSTOWN – Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile State Historic Site will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of its opening to the public July 19-July 21, according to a news release.

Ownership of the former U.S. Air Force property was transferred to the State Historical Society of North Dakota in December 2007. Following work to preserve and prepare the site for public viewing, the modern-day site opened to the public in July 2009.

Friday through Sunday, visitors can drop 50 feet below ground for a view of the launch control center during site tours from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. “Leave Your Mark: Oscar-Zero Anniversary Poster Giveaway” encourages missileers, maintainers, and others connected with the Minuteman missile program to autograph special edition posters to be given away during the weekend. On Sunday, former missileer Warren Tobin will relate his Air Force experiences and his role in the preservation of the site.

Additional weekend activities include a free film showing, a visit from a Minot Air Force Base UH-1N Huey helicopter and crew, outdoor games, walking tours, and kids’ activities. For a complete schedule of events visit www.history.nd.gov/10anniversary.

The site consists of two sites telling the story of the Cold War years in North Dakota: Oscar-Zero Missile Alert Facility and the November-33 Launch Facility. They are the last remnants of the 321st Missile Wing, a cluster of intercontinental ballistic missile launch sites that were spread over a 6,500-square-mile area around Grand Forks Air Force Base.

The Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile State Historic Site is managed by the State Historical Society of North Dakota. Summer hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Admission is $10 adults and $3 youth. For more information or to arrange a group tour, contact Site Supervisor Robert Branting at 701-797-3691.