SAINT PAUL, MN — The Minnesota Historical Society has awarded $2 million in grants to eight communities across the state through its Commemorative Statues, Memorials, and Historic Preservation (CSMHP) program, with Marshall receiving the second largest share.
The City of Marshall was awarded $498,000 to hire qualified professionals to replace the existing bandshell at Liberty Park with a new design that meets modern codes and community needs.
In Fairmont, Fairmont Opera House, Inc. received $168,000 to prepare construction documents for preserving the 1901 Fairmont Opera House, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Other grant recipients include 5501 France LLC in South St. Paul ($248,500) for restoration work on the historic Serbian Home; the City of Forest Lake ($210,000) for a bronze memorial sculpture honoring military veterans; the City of St. Paul Parks and Recreation ($250,000) for a statue of Tou Ger Xiong in Phalen-Keller Regional Park; the Dakota County Historical Society ($54,025) for interpretive trail elements; the Greater Litchfield Opera House Association ($55,848) for restoration work on the 1900 Litchfield Opera House; and the Olmsted County Historical Society in Rochester ($515,627) for repairs to the 1860 George Stoppel Farmstead.
The CSMHP program supports local efforts to preserve Minnesota’s historic structures, statues and memorials. Funding is made possible by the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the Legacy Amendment, approved by voters in 2008.
