Honoring Pioneer Women, 1840-1860
A few months ago I blogged about a restoration project at the historic Sibley House property, which is owned by the Minnesota Historical Society. Unfortunately I don't have as much progress to report as I'd hoped. 
My DAR chapter is trying to restore a stone planter honoring Minnesota pioneer women, 1840-1860. Reviews by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) weren't part of the original timeline and caused slippage in our schedule. (You may have read about the Minnesota Historical Society losing its preservation authority last spring: www.startribune.com/minnesota-historical-society-to-lose-its-preservation-authority/424613943/.) In October we finally received clearance from SHPO but too late in the season for masonry projects. We're now keeping our fingers crossed for a warm spring so construction can proceed. Anticipating the delay we ordered a replacement plaque with the year "2018." Part of our project is collecting biographical stories from chapter members about women in their families who were here in those very early years. None of "my people" were pioneering in Minnesota before 1860. Luckily my husband Bill's Irish ancestors settled in the area in the mid-1850s. I've spent part of the weekend writing about them and helping others with their stories. A re-dedication is planned for 17 May 2018. Publicity for the event will include some of our personal pioneer women stories.
My DAR chapter is trying to restore a stone planter honoring Minnesota pioneer women, 1840-1860. Reviews by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) weren't part of the original timeline and caused slippage in our schedule. (You may have read about the Minnesota Historical Society losing its preservation authority last spring: www.startribune.com/minnesota-historical-society-to-lose-its-preservation-authority/424613943/.) In October we finally received clearance from SHPO but too late in the season for masonry projects. We're now keeping our fingers crossed for a warm spring so construction can proceed. Anticipating the delay we ordered a replacement plaque with the year "2018." Part of our project is collecting biographical stories from chapter members about women in their families who were here in those very early years. None of "my people" were pioneering in Minnesota before 1860. Luckily my husband Bill's Irish ancestors settled in the area in the mid-1850s. I've spent part of the weekend writing about them and helping others with their stories. A re-dedication is planned for 17 May 2018. Publicity for the event will include some of our personal pioneer women stories. 