GUNFLINT TIMES

We are on the last lap toward opening the museum. The grand opening is July 4, 2010. When this project started in 2005, the plan was to open five years later and it seemed like an eternity away. Well, it is coming much sooner than expected. The good news is that we are getting everything done on time. The bad news is that there are still things to be done. The second good news is that it will all get done in time for the grand opening.

While the Board of Trustees has been important, this is not about a board. This is about the hundreds of people who have often done mind-numbing projects. I think about those who worked re-glazing the windows in the museum – all 400 plus panes. Or how about all the photographers on the Trail who reviewed hundreds of pictures to get the ones needed to us? And the people who studied a new subject in order to write 250 words needed on a particular topic. Luckily the Trail is blessed with many handy men and women who painted, sanded, dusted, and cleaned. Also, let’s not forget those who built trails, marked wildflower locations, planted flowers and cut brush. And those people who donated money, baked cookies and sold raffle tickets. It is an endless list.

On the day of the grand opening, every one of you can sit a little taller. This museum is YOUR museum. There is a part of you in it. It would not have happened without your contribution.

Yet the grand opening is not the end. After the ribbon has been cut, the words have been spoken, and the doors are open, the real work begins. A museum is a living, changing facility. All of you are needed. A site manager is only a part of the operations. Volunteers are needed to help tell the story of the Gunflint Trail to visitors. Who is going to describe the hiking trails to guests? Better get out and hike them yourself. There will also be routine tasks – dusting shelves, fold-ing shirts, cleaning bathrooms, cutting grass.

Beyond all the chores, museum guests must be greeted with a welcoming smile. Each of you has a story to tell about your time on the Trail. Slowly we will all learn new stories about different parts of our neighborhood. A real bonus is that once again you are going to make new friends from other lakes. Just think about all the new people you have already met while working on the museum. There are more people out there to meet and gather into our community. If you have a few days to spend at the museum, let us know.

Sue Kerfoot, President

The President’s Corner

Volume III Gunflint Trail Historical Society Newsletter Fall 2009

Together, we can meet our goal!Current funds are approximately

$150,000 away from meeting the financial goal. This amount is necessary to “open the doors” of Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center. Despite generous contributions, the amount is not insignificant. Various sources are being approached, but nothing is certain at this point. An example of fund-ing potential is a $45,000 grant request re-cently submitted to the State of Minnesota’s Legacy Fund. The source of the dollars for this fund comes from a 3/8ths percent sales tax, administered by the Minnesota Histori-cal Society. Because the fund is just getting started, the timing for an answer to our re-quest is uncertain but is expected sometime after the first of the year.

So, we are not quite there. Keep Chik-Wauk in mind as you consider year-end charitable giving. Individual giving has been a great source of funding for us to date. Thanks to all of you who have contributed, it is much appreciated!

Tom Schank, Finance Chair

We’re in theFinal Stretch

Grand Opening:Chik-Wauk Museum &

Nature CenterJULY 4, 2010!

Chik-Wauk Land, Trails and Nature News

Tamarack are amazing trees. In the spring swollen yellow green buds grow to little clumps of soft green needles, excelling in fall with bright gold color, turning rusty brown in early November and carpeting the woods. Tamarack Alley at Chik-Wauk is aptly named. The other trails are named, too, thanks to Lynnette Leuty. Rubaboo Road honors a Voyageur food staple. Moccasin Lane showcases moccasin flowers. Big Sag Trail winds its way up to a ridge overlooking the Saganaga channel. And finally, Amikwiish Way. “Amikwiish” is the Ojibwe word for beaver lodge, found next to the accessible trail. Hopefully, next summer all the trails will be signed and become well-trodden.

The trails received lots of attention in July through the efforts of a fantastic crew from MCC (Minnesota Conservation Corps). The U.S. Forest Service received federal funds to hire these young folks. The results are stunning — definitely pushing the trail projects forward by many months. The MCC crew enjoys trail work, being outdoors and seeing progress each day, even after hours of rain and becoming covered in black from charred trees. A huge thank you to the crew and the MCC program.

MCC motto…”Resources restored, lives changed.”

The accessible trail now has a gravel surface, thanks to the efforts of Gunflint Trail Excavating. The elevated boardwalk is installed. Wandering the trail is a real pleasure. The best addition from summer is a log bench made by Bob Baker, Sr. He has promised to construct more benches. Plan to “come on up and set a spell.”

The trails received a very generous monetary memorial honoring Merlene Sherman, to cover the costs of trail sign construction and installation. Hopefully, Merlene is walking beside us as the project progresses. Thank you.

Kathy Lande, Secretary & Grounds Chair

From the Treasurer

You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality.

— Walt Disney Because of all of you, our dream is close to a reality. Thank you for all the memorials, honorariums, memberships and numerous contributions made to the GTHS. The names of the people honored and memorialized will be preserved and displayed at the museum along with the full list of charter members and volunteers.

It is a pleasure to be your treasurer and I hope if you havons, you will call or write. Ongoing regular contributions and memberships are even more important once Chik-Wauk’s doors are open to help with operating expenses of the museum and the historical society. Please continue your support.

Barb Tuttle, Treasurer

Quilt FundraiserRaffle tickets for the gorgeous quilt created by Melissa Anderson and shown below (quilt measures 75” X 99”) are $5 each or $20 for a book of 5 tickets. The drawing will be held on July 4, 2010.

The Gunflint Trail Historical Society Board adopted a collections policy for Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center at its October meeting. The policy is intended to ensure that collection items have proper accession, care, display or disposal. It is necessary to provide guidance to the new, as well as existing, officers, staff, volunteers assisting in the relevant operations, mem-bership and future donors. “A Legal Primer on Managing Museum Collections” was used as the primary reference document in compiling the collections policy.

The collections policy is digitized and available online, upon request, to members of the Gunflint Trail Historical Society at GunflintTrailHistoricalSociety.org .

Bill Boissenin

CollectionsPolicy

We hit the 500 mark in August, however, some renewals are late so the number is lower now. Delinquent members will be contacted over the winter months to retain a minimum of 500 members by the time the museum opens. Your membership pro-vides free entry to the museum for you and your guests; your name is in the computer and membership cards will be available this spring. To check on your status, contact Barb Tuttle, barbt@boreal.org or Lee Zopff, lzopff@gmail.com.

Lee Zopff, Membership Chair

Membership Dues & Notes

The list of things to do in restoration of the historic building dwindled to almost nothing, as the 2009 construction season ended. A few items that need fine tuning await completion, in anticipation of the big moment next spring when Split Rock Studios arrives with displays.

When the weather warms next April, the process of installing our telephone hook-up, a building security system and an internet satellite connection ends what has been a historic five year process for the friends of the GTHS.

It has been a labor of love to see the deteriorated lodge rise again, and although it will not be busy with the liveliness of years gone by as a resort operation, a new hum of activity will be saving and spread-ing the word about those “good old days” along the Gunflint Trail.

As building restoration manager, I need to recognize several who carried the ball this past summer as we focused on completing several projects in the kitchen. Nace Hagemann and his crew did an out-standing job of completing some much needed carpentry details around the upper ceiling periphery.

Then it was onto kitchen walls and windows when the homegrown flavor of Gunflint Community volunteers came onto the scene with their energy and skills. In no time at all, the new carpentry was stained to match the existing timber frame ceiling and plaster patching, priming and painting brought the room to life once again.

Ready and Waiting!

Last spring the individual members of the Museum Committee had very long “to-do” lists for the summer. I’m happy to report that all the essential work was accomplished under their able leadership.

Split Rock’s October deadlines were met except for only a few loose ends. These deadlines meant that all the plans, including text, photos and artifact infor-mation for every exhibit in the museum, were delivered to Split Rock. Yes, we can now tell you what will be in each corner of the museum.

Split Rock began the final working drawings for the construction of each exhibit area. We are in close contact with them from now to our Grand Opening.

Lest you think that our work is over, the list has only been whittled down by about 50%. Our volunteer “elves” are busy making selections for the Museum Store, mounting artifact bells near the entrance, checking with the taxidermist, making benches for the video area, purchasing office equipment, selecting hardware for the video area, working on the grounds, constructing the moose antler chandelier, constructing and hand-carving entrance signs, having prints made from original art work, etc.

Another of our works-in-progress is the completion of the hand-made wooden books, and gathering and preparing all the information to be included: residents’ stories, contributions (time, artifacts, money), memorials, and honorariums.

Roma Leuty is busy writing a “History of Chik-Wauk” book. It begins with the construction of the first Chik-Wauk Lodge building and continues right up to our Grand Opening in 2010. She would appreciate receiving photos (either in an email or 4x6 hard copies) that you might have that tell the story of Chik-Wauk’s renovation. Contact Roma Leuty at (763-434-3295) or rlleuty@ties2.net.

Thanks to all of the volunteers. We couldn’t have accomplished this without you.

Betty Hemstad, Museum Committee Chair

From the Museum Committee

A second coat of paint was needed on the frames of over 400 panes of window glass and door trim, so the call went out inviting volunteers to a painting party. The first of two parties did the insides while a second gathering (some of the same folks) was scheduled to do the outside (in the fall after bug season). Again, two groups of ten, volunteer window painters extraordinaire stepped to the plate and got the job done!

Gunflint resident rock mason, Bruce Kerfoot, installed the base for the geologi-cal display and placed the slate pad at the museum entrance. New door thresholds were installed, by volunteers.

After some cleaning and dusting, and

the last indoor project for the summer com-menced. The pre-purchased carpet was in-stalled under the expertise of Jeff Boutin and Tracy, bringing a warm finishing touch to the dream that is soon to come alive.

Another good friend of the project, Mike Lande, added on roof guttering while Michael Valentini assisted with getting seasonal window treatments (insulated coverings) ordered and installed.

We commend and thank the many people who made things happen over the past four summers. We’re gettin’ it done because of a great historical effort to preserve history! But this is not the end, as history is made each day. It is just the beginning! See you next spring when we gather once again to finish what we started.

Fred Smith, Building Chair

The Gunflint Trail Historical Society201 South Gunflint Lake Rd. • Grand Marais, MN 55604

(218) 388-0876

www.GunflintTrailHistoricalSociety.org

The pages are nearly done and very interesting. Thanks to everyone who has contributed.

Requirements have changed to include those who have not yet submitted history pages. To submit, go to the web page, gunflinttrailhistoricalsociety.org then click “THE PEOPLE” on the left side and scroll to the bottom of that page for the form. Send as much as you want. We will use 300 - 400 words and two pictures per page, and the remainder will be kept on file.

As David Grabitske said at our meeting October 26, “Today’s stories are tomorrow’s history.” Tell us about your experiences on the trail for future residents to enjoy. Any-one who has or had property on the trail may be included.

Lee Zopff

Resident History Pages

201 S. Gunflint LakeGrand Marais, MN 55604

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

The Chik-Wauk Museum Store Committee is continuing to work on creating a charming and delightful retail gift shop. This shop will be located in its own special little corner of the museum.

T-Shirts, sweatshirts, hats, and mugs have been purchased. All of these items are of very high quality, and have been designed to include the beautiful museum logo. The items are currently in storage for the winter, but will be available by the grand opening day – July 4, 2010.

Many artists have expressed interest in selling their creations. Items include, but aren’t limited to wooden art, fiber arts, jewelry, photography, paintings, basketry, and pottery. There will be an incredible number of hand crafted items displayed on the store’s shelves!

To include your art for sale at Chik-Wauk, please contact us before March 15th. Send a digital photo of the item(s), retail pricing, and your contact information. The store policy is to sell items at retail asking price, with the store retaining a 30% commission. You may submit your photos and information to either: Melissa Anderson, northpole2@northlc.com or Jo Ann Krause, jkrause@boreal.org

CallingAll Artists!

To nominate books for Chik-Wauk’s read-ing corner, send suggested titles (including a brief content description) to:

Alice Weck 1355 Phalen Boulevard, #214

St. Paul 55106 aliceweck@aol.com

651-772-3320Eligible works must include Gunflint

Trail 1) authors; 2) area information; or 3) subject matter with some connection to the Gunflint Trail. Category “3” includes resource books, nature books for children, and “how to” books about recreational activities on the Gunflint Trail.

Tell us if you are able to donate a book or two and the name(s) of the book(s).

It isn’t necessary to nominate books by Helen Hoover or Justine Kerfoot. Each is the subject of a separate museum exhibit. Donations of their books, however, are appreciated.

Reading Library

The Gunflint Trail Historical Society201 South Gunflint Lake Rd. • Grand Marais, MN 55604

(218) 388-0876

www.GunflintTrailHistoricalSociety.org