Facts
The Beltrami County Historical Society at the
Beltrami County History Center
130 Minnesota Ave. SW, Bemidji, MN 56601
Fact Sheet
Project Title: The Great Northern Depot Restoration Project
Design Architect: Architectural Resources, Hibbing Minnesota
Mark Wirtanen, Principal
General Contractor: Krause-Anderson Construction, Bemidji, Minnesota
James A. Golden, Project Manager
Size: History Center is 7,000 square feet with approximately 2,200 square feet of exhibition space in a three-gallery museum: parking is 9,000 square feet for 53 lots.
Cost: Total projected budget: $1.48 million
Total Completed restoration: $2 million
Funding: Depot restoration funding is from state, county, city and private non-tax sources.
History and Mission
The Great Northern Depot of Bemidji, MN was the last depot commissioned by “empire builder” James J. Hill in 1912. The depot, restored for use by the Beltrami County Historical Society as a history center and museum, is an important link in physically and financially maintaining records and associated information for local, regional and state interests. The depot project not only saved and restored a landmark building listed on the National Register of Historic Places, but makes the Beltrami County Historical Society a more viable resource as a “gateway” agency to the State of Minnesota Historical Society, the people of Minnesota and visitors from outside the state.
Since its incorporation as a non-profit organization in 1952, the Beltrami County Historical Society has been dedicated to collecting and preserving the heritage of Beltrami County. The Beltrami County Historical Society preserves hundreds of artifacts in its collection, which reflect the history of Beltrami County. Included in the Beltrami County Historical Society collections are more than 100,000 photos, 2,000 historic maps, manuscripts, settlement artifacts and the John G. Morrison, Jr. American Indian Collection.
