Jill Schramm/MDN Dan Caswell is honored at a sign reveal on the multi-use building at the Ward County Historical Society’s Pioneer Village in Burlington Tuesday. A number of museum supporters gathered to share the surprise with Caswell, whose contributions made the building’s construction possible.

New signage on a multi-use building at the Ward County Historical Society’s Pioneer Village pays tribute to the museum supporter whose dream led to the building’s construction.

Friends of the museum surprised Dan Caswell at a sign reveal Tuesday. The sign for “Caswell’s Restorations” features antique tractor and Ford Edsel decals.

Gazing at the sign for the first time, Caswell, who has his own fleet of vintage and classic cars, was initially speechless before teasing, “Why Edsel instead of Studebaker?”

According to the museum, the frame and skin of a 60-foot by 150-foot structure was erected at Pioneer Village in the fall of 2022. During the summer of 2023, a concrete floor was laid that included insulation and in-floor piping for future geothermal heating and cooling. Overhead doors also were installed last year.

Caswell had made a large donation to enable construction of the building. Sheldon Albertson, a long-time historical society member, wanted to recognize Caswell for his contributions and solicited other members to raise money to create the sign that now rests above the building’s overhead door.

The building was constructed to store artifacts and to include various trade rooms, such as a maintenance shop, upholstery shop and carpentry shop. However, the building currently is housing a number of artifacts, including large items such as tractors, cars and a fire engine. Getting the larger items indoors was important to Caswell.

“I always wanted a car museum in Minot and this is my only avenue to get one. I couldn’t do it totally on my own and a car museum by itself doesn’t draw enough. Having a car museum tied in to this will bring more people,” he said.

Caswell said the goal is to someday construct a building to serve solely as a car museum but significant donations will be required.

The historical society continues to raise money for the multi-use building, which needs electrical, heating and insulation work. The building is open to the public during museum hours.

The next event at the Pioneer Village at Burlington will be Old Settlers Days on Saturday and Sunday, June 22-23. The event will feature a parade, flea market, rummage sale, children’s activities, blacksmithing and stationary engine demonstrations, hay rides, Saturday pancake breakfast, Frozen Fingers Music Association performance and Sunday church service.