6 minutes now past 11 you listening to mid-day in Minnesota Public Radio. Today's midday is made possible in part by CSC Consulting of Minneapolis providing comprehensive management consulting system integration and Technology support two companies Nationwide, you're listening to mid-day on Minnesota Public Radio Mark. Sadacca Lake in the Twin Cities and with me this morning to guests Bill Morrissey is the director of the Minnesota state parks system. And Nina archabal is a director of the Minnesota Historical Society. Thanks to both of you for coming in today. And at least we don't have a a real nice summer day for say to interrupt your activities. Appreciate you being here is my pleasure. Thank you. Mark will be talking for the balance of the hour by trips around Minnesota of historical significance state parks. You can visit learn a little something about the past as you can for picnic should be an interesting hour and we hope to hear from you this morning as well. If you're listening in the Twin Cities a number to call to join our conversation is to 276 thousand that's to 276 thousand in the metropolitan area outside ofTwin Cities anywhere you can hear the broadcast you can ask you a questions of Nina Archibald and Bill Morrissey by calling our toll-free number which is one 800-242-2828. The toll-free number once again is one 800-242-2828. The first question I wanted to throw out to both of you is was a state park System created with history in mind and other words at the Lion's Share of state parks. Is there a historical connection of significance in Minnesota? We should point out that the state park system is still being created as we've added some new Well Properties over the last few years that we are here in Minnesota the second oldest state park system in the United States were about a hundred and three years old and the mission of the state park system is really threefold certainly outdoor recreation plays an important role and then natural and cultural resource management and preservation is a second part of that.And then also the continuing to to provide Environmental Education and not only about the natural history, but also the the cultural history so a lot of the state park so we're established for their natural resources, but I think just as many for their cultural resources. We have a number of state parks that maybe we can talk about further such as Fort Snelling Fort Ridgely and Charles Lindbergh where we managed cooperatively what the Minnesota Historical Society. We have some some iron mines. We have one state park on the each of the three major iron ranges in Minnesota and I should point out. We have a 564 buildings in the park system buildings and structures that are on the national register of historic places. So when we manage the parks, we try to preserve those resources know we provide the the educational program so many andOperation with historical society so people can learn a little bit about minnesotans in their past state park around Minnesota. They can walk away with a bit of an education that I guess for lack of a better term is presented to them in a user-friendly way. That's an enjoyable way that adds to the recreation value just waited before answering that question would make a comment to add to bills and that is we were visiting before we came on the air and pointed out to each other that so often places of great natural beauty are not only places where people are attracted today, but there places where people have always been attracted. So most often as you travel with your traveling across the nation and visiting national parks or traveling here in Minnesota the link between places of great natural beauty and places that have attract people from the from prehistory the earliest times right up to the present places of natural beauty are often places where people are attracted to be and want to be even today. I'm how do we go about?Planning entertaining programs. We really have a combination formula. I think that is a combination of education and entertainment. I'm certainly there's something to be learned at all of our historic places and at the state's Parks as well, but we make it fun and some of the events that bill and I will be talking about that are going to be taking place this weekend and next weekend and onto Labor Day weekend, I think will illustrate some of the ways in which history and learning about the environment can really be fun. Okay. Let's get to that in a couple of minutes. I will take a call in a second, but I want to give out the phone number. Once again, you're listening to Midtown, Minnesota Public Radio Bill Morris. He's here. He's the director of the Minnesota state parks system. And Nina Archibald is here. She is a director of the Minnesota Historical Society. If you have a question, you can call 227-6000. If you're listening the Twin Cities metropolitan area that Twin Cities number again, 227-6080 where else you can hear the broadcast. You can call toll-free with your question at 1 800-242-2828. Let's take a call Gloria is in Minnetonka the morning around, Minnesota.Public Radio I have a question for Nina Archer. And he called it. Is the Livingston Griggs house which I understand is not open and I'm wondering if she could tell me if they ever have tours there or if she knows anything about the furniture disposition of the original Livingston Griggs house is correct in at the Livingston Greeks house is closed and has been closed for a long time. This is a very distinguished historic house located on Summit Avenue Huron St. Paul and it has been closed. I believe since about 1980 more than 10 years. Now. The furniture is being preserved and isn't storage currently the state Arts board is using the grapes house as office space and I would I think that the best thing for the color to do would be to call the state Arts board and see if it might be possible while this guest is in town for him to get a look at the house. It is not open to the public there in a regular schedule tours really but I must say that that that folks are able to continue to enjoy that house as they drive by and walk by the house on. I am you it is a grand structure. What are some of the things Gloria might show off to her company? What do you mentioned? You have some things coming up right now? Maybe now would be a good time to talk about. Well, I guess if he's going to be here next weekend, we might talk a little bit about what will be happening next weekend at the History Center actually, maybe her nephew could help a little bit. We've got a program called asked ask the experts next weekend at the History Center here in St. Paul and folks can bring in it at one item if they're curious about some family heirloom or treasure. They like to come in and ask one of our curators sometime between 1 and 3 on next Saturday that is a week from today until maybe this gas would like to come over and have a look at some of the things that minnesotans have in their treasure troves. How what's the what what shape are this is the park system there been a lot of stories in the past about Parks not necessarily in Minnesota being overcrowded and being underfunded and having kind of a problem of popularity. What's the condition of the state park system right now today? The state park system is in very good shape and that I should say I just came back from a trip to one of our sister Lake States Michigan and had a chance to talk with the with Park Managers from around the Midwest and I think that in comparing our systems. I think we're doing a real good job here Minnesota. A lot of that is due to our customers and they take good care of their parks and I should also say that the the legislature in the governor work very hard to make sure that the state parks are open and and well-managed one of the things that we have for this year, which is know as a new State Park reservation system. So if you're looking for a campsite, we we have a Minnesota company. We had a few problems in the past when we took reservations through a California company yet. They really didn't know where Brainerd was with respect to the Twin Cities. And so this year that connection out of Burnsville is taking our reservations and they're just doing an outstanding job now with the weather that we've had and I think with the pent-up demand from from Marseille some Park closures due to flooding and rainfall the last couple of years words were really being overwhelmed this year Park visitation will probably exceed the 8 million visitors and then, you know looking at the revenue side, which of course we have to do that's very important to us. It looks like we're going to have a very good year and we want to translate that increased use into some increased dollar. So I will be presenting a budget to the legislature which will enable us to capture the revenues. And of course, that means that people using the park system are really making a donation to keeping up the the wonderful resources that we have. So it's been the it's been a great year from both of your Vantage Point in terms of the interest in learning a little something. History when you are on your vacation with you camping a picnic and are more people interested in asking for more historical markers and historical information. Now than the past data that we see indicates that historic sites and state parks with historic places in them are among the principal draws. I know that might when my husband and I are traveling around one of the first things we do is stop & information center. As soon as we get into a new state pick up a brochure and find out what's to see what are the museums. What are the historic places we can visit and we're not any different from the average traveler people in Minnesota people who visit our state take permit disadvantage of the richness of our historic sites Network and are there state parks? Would you agree bill? I would certainly agree with what we're finding is it that people want more to do when they're when they're all traveling? They don't really go for a single purpose oven in many cases. And so when they get to say local city or Park, they'll they'll spend some time camping maybe doing a little fishing doing some sightseeing hiking. Trails but they become more interested in the natural and cultural environment. And I think maybe that's a credit to our schools Witcher providing. Maybe you're a little more education about Minnesota about our Roots about the the Pioneers who came here and also about the indigenous peoples the the American Indians. So we're finding more demand for four programs that will tell people a little bit more about our history. Okay Bill Morrissey and Nina Archibald are the guests on today's. Midday Nina wanted to add something going to just thinking it was thinking about planning a vacation if any of that in mind as an activity for today, one of things you might do is to either give a call to either Minnesota Historical Society either our local number in St. Paul or our 800 number or likewise and maybe it would be a good moment Mark to give a couple of telephone numbers that people could use and getting information if they've got something in mind a particular destination to find out what's nearby here in St. Paul people could call the Minnesota Historical Society. 29661 to 6 and from around the state Colorado toll free number one 800-657-3773 bill. I know you've got numbers to do in the metropolitan area. It's to 96615 7 in Greater, Minnesota one eight hundred seven six six six thousand steak a call Rini is listening in Hermantown. Good morning to Minnesota Public Radio with Bill Morrissey and Nina Archibald. Thanks for calling Real families text who are Avid campers and use the state party Parks extensively. We've been dismayed in the last year or so that when we get to the park the naturalist position has been cut and I'm we feel that this is really I mean we pick our Parks because there's a naturalist position and also we feel it's the way We are children and the mother of four the way our children learn to appreciate the park so that they can as Adult Protective parts. Okay, appreciate your your concern because it is a program that we're very concerned about in the state park system. I don't believe that we have cut down on the number of naturalist in the last couple of years. We've had a little problem with budges towards the end of the year. We probably have laid off and that's with maybe a little bit early and not only the naturals but some of the other people who help keep our our Parks going we have worked very hard to try to reduce costs and improve efficiencies in some other area. So this year I think you'll find that things are a lot better. And also if you're living in the Duluth area, we recently added a full-time naturalist a to Jay Cooke State Park. And of course, there's a strong historical connection with Jay cook because of hello, mr. Cook probably never visited Minnesota. He owns some land and it mr. Cook was the person probably most responsible for the north prevailing in the Civil War. He was a Philadelphia banker and work till almost to single-handedly to finance the Civil War. And so that we're honored to have a park in his name here in Minnesota. Now, I believe that naturalist that we just added their full-time has transferred to another part. But if the position is bacon today, we will be feeling it very soon. We have also added a full-time naturalist and our largest state park, which is Saint Croix State Park in one additional program or working with communities that are willing to donate some money so that we can provide the additional programs at some other state park. So we are concerned about it and we're working very hard to provide the programs that you like. I just might add marked bills comment that it's really important for collars and and people around Minnesota to let us know when to let those with who who work with them in their communities and in the state know that these places that they visit our state park. Send the historic sites are really important to them because the colors message is an important one. I'll people in Minnesota want these resources available to them. And now that's an important message for all of us to hear. Okay. Let's take another call to go to Bernard in St. Paul. Good morning, right, Minnesota Public Radio. When we need to pay an entry fee to and then also a separate entity to Historical Society to see the lighthouse. Gylfi, looking at each other shaking their heads. Right? Well, there has been a problem in the past with getting a fee structure straightened around at Split Rock Lighthouse. But as I understand the situation today, there's only one if you're which planet which if you're wishing to visit these Lighthouse itself, you are waived in and pay a fee only at split Split Rock Lighthouse Bill. Do you want to comment on what happens if visitors also wish to use facilities in other parts of the Park camping or or having a picnic or using the trails you are then required by state law to also have a a park sticker. I might point out that this is not a unique situation within the state park system. We have special programs such as a kief to her at the mystery cave in Forestville State Park or mine tours at soudan mine and the hill Annex mine and in those cases you also are you need both a park sticker? And then you need to pay an extra fee. And so it's it's not a unique situation you're paying a little more but you're getting a fantastic program my at Split Rock Lighthouse. I was there about a month ago and things seem to be going very well in again. Please keep in mind that the fees that you pay come back to the Department of Natural Resources for Park management and also go back to the Historical Society. So it's more of a donation than a fee is it obviously it has tremendous natural beauty as well as a great story and at that site you find a visitor center as well as being able to visit the lighthouse itself. We do like that light occasionally we have to work with the Coast Guard and not light it very often because it's no longer used as part of the navigation system, but we do light it occasionally on November 10th. For example, we will be lighting it to honor those who Turn on the Edmund Fitzgerald but there are things to do even when the lighthouse is not let you can go into the lighthouse. You can visit the lightkeepers dwelling. Of course that Lighthouse was built there as part of the problem that related to get to shipwrecks on Lake Superior those of us who live in Minnesota know just how treacherous those Waters can be and that Lighthouse was an important piece of foot of a navigation history of our Star State it no longer is a functioning Lighthouse, but it's a wonderful historic place to visit one of my favorite spots about once a year and it's just a fantastic place on the park side. We have something that's a little unique and that's it. We have cart in camping. So you park in a parking lot and then you get a cart to pair your equipment then head down a trail and then we have some beautiful beautiful campsites there. I was going to ask you that I've been there before and are you expanding that the other campgrounds or not? It is a very popular of people are demanding more of it. We're doing some surveys. In fact, we have one that's going on right now. So if you're in the parks would ask you to fill out a survey form Force helps us keep track of our customers and what they're looking for. We have some plans to add e-card in camping site at Glendalough state park that's in Northwestern Minnesota Otter Tail County and then to perhaps add a card and camping site up at the tettegouche State Park, which is also on the North Shore Society in the state park system undergoes when you decide to come up with a new State Park Split Rock might be another good example to stay with. I mean, you have beautiful geography there. And then you have the the actual Lighthouse itself has a structure seems to be a perfect example of how history and and state parks and camping and picnicking can come together and just a perfect marriage. How do you how do you get to that point? I think it just represents a bit of Minnesota wisdom. As a matter of fact letting people do what they do, very best and that has just because property has great natural beauty and our state has recognized that the historic aspects of it probably are best managed by the historical society and the natural aspects of it are best managed by our wonderful State Park Network and system. So it really is a question of really cooperating and acknowledging the fact that these resources are together, but not simply arbitrarily saying well it's a state park at the place of natural beauty and somehow the historic resources will play second fiddle. It doesn't work that way in Minnesota and it works very well it all comes down in the last analysis two people to our Park Serpent superintendents who managed those parks to our Historic Site managers in the people from the local community to work in those places in the park parts of them and in the historic sites, it's a it's a kind of Minnesota miracle. I guess I would say in the park system very heavily on the expertise from the from the Minnesota store. Society that we wouldn't be able to operate without that expertise in just a couple of examples tonight at around 9 p.m. Maybe a little later at st. Croix State Park Ralph Anderson, who is a consultant to the State Historical preservation office is giving a talk on historical structures at st. Croix Park on new park that was added to the system through a donation from Kohls media and the nature conservancy is Alyssa Glendalough Park that I mention. It's about 2,000 acres and there's a camp there that was used by the cold media people and there's a kind of a large building in the kitchen building in bo4 5 sociated cabins. Now, we're working with a historical society to determine how significant these buildings are. We know that a number of presidents. I believe President Eisenhower President Nixon vice president Mondale number of people who Have fun held say high positions in Washington leaders of the country have stayed there and we think that also the architecture maybe yes significant. So we bring the Historical Society in and they're working very closely with us and we're going to determine then the future of that camp and it looks like we may well a do some up reservation there and then allow people today to come in. I've seen make a reservation and come in and stay at the camp. Morrissey is the director of the Minnesota State Park system Nina Archibald the director of the Minnesota Historical Society. They are the guests on today Saturday midday, and we're talkin about trips of historical significance around Minnesota. We hope to hear from you. If you have a question, you can join our conversation. If you're in the Twin Cities, the number to call is 2276 Thousand Oaks at the Twin Cities the toll free number anywhere you can hear the broadcast is one. 800-242-2828 Caroline and shoulders been most patient is on the line with a comment. I think you're on Minnesota Public Radio. Good morning. Good morning of the comment. Is that Lee radzik? Who is the site manager at Split Rock Lighthouse is going to present a program at Spirit of the north theater on October 20th at 7 p.m. Spirit of the north is in Citrus complex in Duluth. This is sponsored by the interpretive Center Association. The title of the talk is early photographers of Lake Superior North Shore a Visual History and the program will be repeated at the History Center in St. Paul on October 29th. Okay. Well, that's a piece of information. Thanks for calling and relaying that Nina. Did you want to chime in on that? No, I just had an idea. I was thinking that maybe we got to talk about him that we've been talking so much about what you can do around the state. I was wondering if we've inspired anybody to talk a little bit now, maybe about what you could do this weekend if you were looking for something to do the weekend. How much left at least write for tomorrow if you're living in the metro area, we've got a Minnesota Folk Festival at the History Center. It'll be from 11 to 6 and I checked the national weather service this morning and the weather looks like it tomorrow's weather is going to be cool and sunny. So it's a great day to get out. This is a celebration of our Minnesota folk Traditions. You can come there and observe and meat feed workers Laotian Weavers. Are there be somebody there carving some duck decoys? They'll be some feelers Irish Fiddlers on the lawn there at the History Center will have some duck and loon calling contest. If you've been practicing your ducking loon calls course, there's always food and their activities for children. So if you're looking for something to do when you're in the metro area The Folk Festival is a sure bet tomorrow, it's free at the Minnesota History Center speaking of one of our state parks and combination historic sites at Fort Snelling. This is Veterans Weekend. We've got some historic military field position set up outside the historic Fort representing 360 years of military history. Costume guides there in each camp and their restored military vehicles and if you really get off on Parade, there's a parade at 2:30 each day at Fort Snelling and because I know there's lots more to the state. I just would mention up at Forest History Center near Grand Rapids tomorrow. Our site is open and there's some film programs that deal with conservation with our history of conservation. Of course at the forest History Center. We not only deal with the number history, but we also deal up there with the story of our forests in the need to preserve our 4. So there two films tomorrow that will be shown at 1 and at 3 one of them on Aldo Leopold call the sand sand County Almanac and the other on our own Sigrid Olsen the Wilderness world of Sigrid Olsen. So they're things to do. How about at state parks Bill happened to see one on our tour up to Michigan and it's very nice dinner over there, but they can't compare with what the Historical Society has done at the Grand Rapids the the Logging a history. There is portrayed in the end. I think what's called a living history Manor and you can tour the buildings and the visit with the guys who are in character. They are they represent the people who ran the logging camps and I have a background in forestry. And so I have a particular interest in that too in that facility. And again, I try to visit that is as often as I can. We have a number of activities going on in the state park system on every weekend and I would urge people to call and I do a little trip planning find out where the special programs are. We have a meteor shower watch that will be at tomorrow night and that'll be a Whitewater State Park down in Southeastern Minnesota. And let's see we have a prairie Vision saw a program and that will be at myre-big Island State Park and that'll be a tomorrow and that'll be repeated also on the 19th, and that's a chance to walk through the restore. Prairie learn a little bit about Prairie Management in the history of prairies in Minnesota have a spur-of-the-moment say today, for example, if somebody wants to decides what to listen to the program. They may want to go camping tonight. Is it going to be difficult and difficult this time of year to find a a vacancy on a Saturday night at it often is is difficult. We only Reserve 70% of our site. So 30% are open for people who come off the road. And also we have a list of private campgrounds and we work very closely with the private Campground Association so that if people really wanted a park but it's full I will get them into the nearest private Campground. So what kind of help the the campground Association in the economy and then they they do the same for us. Okay. Let's go back to the jail. Byron Minnesota Public Radio. Good morning. Good morning. Good show this morning. I had a question, I guess for mr. Morsi what sorts of background educational sorts of preparation would it would be required for someone to get involved say with a naturalist position in the state park system. Hang up and listen. Okay. Thanks. Thank you for the for the question. We employed about 14 full-time natural us in our state parks and we have one full-time natural supervisor at each of our six regions. And in addition we hire about 20 to 25 seasonal Naturals every year and what we're looking for is is a background in into areas that we've talked about today natural history and cultural history. So if you've if you've got a good background in the biological sciences In history from from any of the actually we don't require Minnesota education. But any kind of background in the environmental Sciences in the in the history of what you can do is to check with the Department of employee relations here in Minnesota and all of our hiring is done through them and they have a bulletin that. Comes out and you can subscribe to that bulletin and that's generally the best way to kind of keep track of the positions. Also. If you are interested in further information, they give us a call and we can send you out a lot more detailed information. I hope that some of our colors Also may be interested in getting involved with the Minnesota Historical Society we to hire seasonal people that get to working with Bill described earlier. It's our living history programs costume guides give them lots of training and then enable them to be out and to meet the public and to live in another time. We have higher both. Hire seasonal seasonal people are we hired directly should call the Minnesota Historical Society if you're interested in working with us, but we also have many many volunteers and that's a great way to get involved. We have had in the past year over twelve hundred volunteers people retired people to children who are volunteer their time for example out at Fort Snelling at the Kelley Farm. So there are lots of ways to get involved at our state parks and at our historic sites. I don't want the program being without me asking you how things are going at the new History Center. I was talking to some friends referring to the new History Center and they look at me while it's not really that new it seems new to me still a beautiful facility there. How is it how are things working out in your new space and end in briefly in general what things are available to people there on a day-to-day basis pro bono special programs aside. I was walking through the building myself yesterday afternoon, and the place was full with vacationers. It's interesting to watch this or the mood of the place change in the spring and last County last spring and fall we had over 60 School children who visited and obviously they bring a certain atmosphere to the History Center. We're now in full vacation swing and so we have many many visitors coming with families were traveling from different parts of the country. There's lots to do there there exhibitions many exhibitions and place. We've got our course Minnesota A to Z. That was our opening exhibition an exhibition on wild ricing if you're visiting do not miss The Homeplace Minnesota multimedia show it is first-rate. We have an exhibition on a number of communities in Minnesota people interested in doing research on their houses on their families can come and use our Research Center people are using it and enjoying it and that was what we envisioned and that's what seems to be happening judge judging from our parking lot on any given day. Things are going. Well. I might mention that during the summer History Center really is a place kind of to hang out and on Thursday nights. We have a series of programs called 9 nights of family fun. This Thursday night pop Wagner will be there and they'll be some fiddling and some foot-stomping. I think it's a great family activity. It's all free. So do come I wanted us both of you a little bit about what do people from other parts of the world want to see when they come to Minnesota. It's my understanding that we have more International guests in Minnesota Part of Me Maybe because of the Mall of America and just because we're living in more of a global world now than we were before what what are people from other parts of the world interested in seeing an inmate when it comes to history and end in experiencing state parks. Is there are there certain places that are particularly popular. Well, I was delighted by stop yesterday and visited with one guest at the History Center and she was bringing a family member who is visiting in from California and I like to think that when minnesotans want to show off their state one of the things that they think about doing is visiting our history Center and their historic sites that seems to be one of the surprise things to do. I think in terms of what people are looking for certainly the native history of our state is something that has a great deal of interest for foreign visitors were looking for We're going to be constructing a new Indian museum up on the Mille Lacs reservation. The society has had a longtime partnership with the Mille Lacs people and that will be going under construction shortly. And so I hope next time on the show. I'll be able to talk about that that place to really learn about the native history, which is something that is a great interest to our visitors from around the world world to camp in. Well, we do believe that the Mall of America is responsible for a lot of new visitors to the state of Minnesota. We recently met with representatives from Korea and from Japan trying to put together some packages for them. One of the things that they insist on doing is visiting Itasca State Park and it there again of wonderful blend of natural history and cultural history and of course because it's the headwaters of the Mississippi and and and probably are our Flagship Park. So that's the one that they all want to visit. Another trees in there in a little water while we are intending to open a store with the the office of Tourism and this will be believed on the third floor of the mall or negotiating on it right now and we very much like to introduce minnesotans and their visitors to not only state park but I'm sure we'll have information on historical sites there and then we'll probably sell some of our merchandise in order to keep the to keep the store open interest of all of all of this refers to the state in sing the Mississippi River and I think that's a piece of the fascination with Itasca Park and the headwaters. I know that when I came to the state more than 30 years ago. Now one of the things I wanted to see right away with the Mississippi River and certainly that doesn't I don't seem to be any different from anybody else in that regard. One of our developing places to visit actually is built around not the headwaters. Although that's a wonderful place to go visit Itasca. Certainly one of the great spots in this state. But if you can't get out of the Twin Cities and you want to get a little close to the river, certainly the Saint Anthony Falls historic district is a great place to take in the river. We have walking tours down there on weekend afternoons afternoons leaving from the West Bank at the Whitney hotel in from the East bank and our Visitor Center on Main Street, and I guess I was over there last weekend and one of the things that really struck me feel was that it's not only a place just to see history and who appreciate the industrial history of our state but it's also a great natural environment. I was just amazed that I stood out on the Stone Arch Bridge. I was out there with Congressman Sabo Saturday morning and we were showing him at work that's being done to restore the Stone Arch Bridge. It was built by James Cahill back in the 1880s what really amazed me as I looked out over the falls was to see Blue Heron flying below and I understand that their Eagles to be seen there as well. We don't think about these increase Will natural resources right here in the middle of our City's but they are when that bridge is open. The repair work has been underway on the Stone Arch Bridge. It will be open to pedestrian traffic and two bicycles. We expect it'll be completed in November. I imagine a number of listeners and collars had been aware that that works been under way and it will give wonderful views that people have not had four years of the falls but beyond that it will also give access to tremendous natural beauty. I personally think that we've done a lot to destroy the river front of me and we have one of those the natural wonders of the world. Flowing through the Twin Cities and we've pretty much restricted to Commerce and at this point, I would applaud the Historical Society the cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and particularly the National Park Service for taking a special interest in the river way through the Twin Cities and in doing a lot to enhance the natural environment and I think that we're going to see a lot more use of that River by boat. People and wildlife in future years. Would you state park the cart in camper? I believe it was the pillsbury's had a log. Well, it wasn't going to Log Cabin. It was really some type of structure that was put in on Micmac Lake and over the years. It was a private little Hideaway. Excuse me, and recently they decided to turn it into some type of lodging for for the public. So at the expense of three-quarters of a million dollars, we went in there and we more or less move some of these cabins around restructure them and put in several 500 to 1000 gallon propane tanks put in a huge Mound system. And now we're going to be renting this out to the public for the guys of a historical significance. And I guess my feeling is that I think in this case, we're acting more like a large Land Development Corporation rather than stewards of the land water and and lakes that we should be Bill Morrissey. I'm sure that is what time you develop anything you have to take that into mind. We recently dedicated the Telugu Church camp and I'm told to Telugu Jersey is a French word meaning Retreat. It has quite the colorful history from the Old Logging days and then a gentleman named Buck named Clement Quinn own the land for a long time after him. Through the 70s and part of the 80s John delight and eventually The Nature Conservancy acquired the land and then it was turned over to the state of Minnesota for 4A State Park and it's part of the old baptism River State Park. So we have some some spectacular scenery there. And again. Just another example of where we worked with the local Community First of all in terms of the purchase and in the development of the camp, we hold held a number of public hearings and then work with historical society to restore the camp. Now, we did all the restoration work in compliance with the laws. I think you need to visit the camp and judge for yourself. I think it's a spectacular Hideaway and what happens there is that there are no Road systems other than for administrative purposes. So you're going to have to ski in in the winter and it's going to be well, let's say twenty below or 30 below or worse and you're going to want some heat on and maybe a safety Factor. So we have some propane there just for a basic heat and then also, For cooking and then we have added a sanitation building. There are certain laws in Minnesota for the health and safety of our of our citizens and visitors. And of course, we followed the week. It is an authentic restoration. And in fact, we spent less than half a million dollars on the historic renovation. It is open for visitors right now. How do you make the distinction or make a determination that yes, this place does need to be developed. We need to make it accessible. It's got to comply with the Americans with disability act as got to comply with all the state regulations of making turning some sort of Natural Area into something that that meets all of those specifications does mean change it. Is there any point where both of you say? Well we better just maybe leave it alone and maybe a path could go through and people could look at it and then it's not going to work to put a campground here or putting a campground or a big historical kind of marker would detract from the significance of the site. I would imagine it's it I'm going to Lim every time you try to put something together. I think this is one of the few places Mark in the state where there is the opportunity for more remote camping for those were willing to really make an effort some years ago. I did hike in there and it is a quite a long walk to get in there, but it is well worth it. When I hiked in there it was during the peak of the Fall. Color season and it was really a chance to get out and get away and I would encourage people who are able to do that. Certainly. It would be at a challenge for anyone with a serious disability as regards Mobility to get in there but it is a good walk. How far bill is it in to take that hike from the campground? It's a little over to my work. If you go around to Lake County for you can park on near the the administrative Road and then it's about a mile and a half and I'll tell you how it is a beautiful walk anytime of year, but last fall and I was in we ran across a moose and so I'd encourage you are our visitors to to take special precautions. It is a place where you can reasonably expect to see a moose on a hike perhaps a timber wolf and certainly whitetail deer in I also was hiking not at the camp exactly but nearby and we came across a bear that was up in a tree right next to the trail. So if you're interested in Certainly visit that camp and then let us know how you feel about about the camp hearing from more people. I'm back to the question that that we don't want this development in this area and that it doesn't make sense to put a campground here or his door up historical building housing historical documents and artifacts and and leave it alone. It's being overdeveloped. I think it's important to point out that this is not really a development. It's in here that the historic structures have been there since the turn of the century and they continue to be there. This is not a development of some new cabins or of a large Campground. This is a primitive camping area. That is quite remote that we not taking some action there within a few years. All of the instructors would have gone and I think the history of that went with the place would also have been lost and also it's a combination that we've restored the buildings you'll find the furniture is handmade and the comes from kind of from the local area is very rustic guy. You're going to have a rustic experience. At this Camp it really is unique. I'll probably in the Midwest and I may be in the in the US and also it's a combination of some of the buildings. I have been sort of a mothball the week we've taken care of that to the make them somewhat safe and then where they're simply there for observation. So it's not like we went in in the restored everything. But again, it's weird urge people to go to make a visit there. Certainly the upcoming fall season would be a great time you two seem to get along so well it did occur to me. Sometimes you must be at opposite ends. When you're put trying to put together a park near Archibald may say well look we can't do this because it's disrupting the historical significance of this and Bill saying we'll look a lot of people want to camp here. Does that happen to you or not? I can't frankly think of an instance when it has happened. I know it can happen if I think of an instance actually outside of Minnesota, I think about Glacier Park which was developed by Louis Hill in connection with the railroad with the Great Northern Railroad and there. The Park Service National Park Service policy has allowed the deterioration and destruction actually of all but the stone buildings which have remained in as the in the remote parts of the park is camped there. You do have a conflict between the history of the park which was for recreational development and the natural resource. Use I can't think of a conflict of that kind of in Minnesota bill can you know the key there is to work together early on when we were thinking about establishing something for example, a new State Recreation Area very very similar to a state park on the cuyuna Range. I will be working with historical society in terms of planning that area area I think about 10 if they ever were a place where there could have been conflict. I suppose tettegouche Camp could have been one of those places here you had a place that wasn't very fragile condition as an historic site and the opportunity for letting nature return that to Nature very quickly the park State Park system working with Are State historic preservation office was able to come up with a plan that would continue the recreational use the natural use but also to preserve historic resources in Minnesota Public Radio. Good morning. My question is more of a financial nature and I am just kind of curious about the state park and the historical sites and what kind of Revenue of a generating and are they self contained and exactly how much additional tax money that they have to use to just maintain their state parks. Let's say just had a hook or a for one of the historical sites. I mean what what kind of dollars are we looking at as far as the contribution as far as tax money because I understand these two people talking about we decide we decide in this kind of thing, but in all honesty, I mean it is coming out at taxpayers packets not coming out of there since I'm just kind of curious and if you can answer that. Give me some detail as far as you know, maybe take Catahoula Park and kind of break it down as to okay. What does it cost yearly to maintain mad? And how much revenue does a fair question is are the is the park system subsidized and is a historical society subsidized and why I'll start right off with that and the historic sites in the state are subsidized with tax dollars. Are we go through a process every two years with the legislature an open process that involves a lot of citizen participation where people come in where we make a case often times with local people about the importance of historic places and receive some funding. We also charge fees at a number of these historic sites almost all of our historic site, but we try to keep the fees low enough so that the these places are accessible dessert places where people come to enjoy themselves and to be entertained as well as educated and I guess it's been the philosophy of the Historical Society over the many years that we've operated historic. If these are to be accessible in terms of the specific cost breakdown for particular site, I certainly would be glad to answer the colors question. If she were to call me at work and I can give her specifics on specific sites for Sammy have Bill Morrissey frantically scrambling a piece of paper. I don't know if it's fair to ask you do on the spur of the moment to analyze the other Financial operations in one of your parts, but the same question you certainly are we get to that question was I would point out the first of all that last time I checked in and I were both paying taxes to and very happy to pay taxes for something like a historical site or a state park because when we do that, we're preserving something for future Generations. They're not just for today is part of our history is part of the quality of life of Minnesota and we should also I make it very clear that the terms of the Department of Natural Resources. We are the agency that the has to manage these sites in the public interest we have advisory. Groups at the end. I would say most of our state parks. We don't do any planning for the state parks or attempt to establish a new State Park Recreation Area without a lot of public input. So Glendalough for example was a direct response to the public they came to us and they said we have not been allowed access to this land for the last let's say 91 years. We want to have that Land open for for our use as well as for the use of visitors. So we work very closely with the citizens and they help us make of the decisions. Now I can say that we are 1/3 are that we pay one-third of our costs directly through the park fees through with the merchandise that we sell and I should say our entry fee and a campground fee and answer the merchandise now that's about a third of our 20 million dollar budget annual operating budget in addition the studies that we have done show that the people coming to Minnesota from out State bring new dollars and the Tax revenues that they generate on their visits here more than exceed the amount of tax money so we can say that we are self-sufficient. And then also if I just mention the the the value again, we're talking about the quality of life, but also the economic value to the small towns a lot of those towns and cities depend very heavily on state parks and state historic sites for their for their existence taxpayer money. Will we see again though? We get to the 2/3 or money from the general fund. But that money than is supplemented by the tax revenues that people pay when they visit the state to visit all these sites that we have was just going to emphasize bills point about the relatively low cost of these really wonderful amenities in our state relative relative to the number of dollars that are generated if you think about what it What's a family of four to stay in a motel to buy some meals to buy food to buy film whatever else it is. You do on vacation. This generates a lot of Revenue and we know that it matters because any time we even proposed cutting the hours are closing a site I Historic Site early. We are overwhelmed by the local people who want those sites open up a couple of minutes left in this broadcast of midday. Let's go to Tom and Bemidji are in Minnesota Public Radio. Good morning project that is opened in Itasca State Park a couple years ago. It's the Mississippi headwaters hostel just opened in the old park headquarters building which is on the national register and it's providing Deluxe lodging in Itasca Park year around Mount for visitors to enjoy the park. Not only during the summer but in the fall in the winter, and I strongly recommend it to anyone who is planning a trip to my task and doesn't want to camp maybe wants to come after. The lodge closes at the end of September and I'd like to also ask the question of whether possibly there any other facilities that could be used in state parks for the hospital organization would go in combination with historical society in developing more of these facilities in historical buildings that are perhaps not needed by the park. Okay. Well, let's get to that kind of quickly if we can. It's a big question. I guess the hostel is working very well at the Itasca State Park made did restore a historical building that we thank you for mentioning that the American youth hostel Association has done a survey. Unfortunately. There are not a lot of other parts structures that are not being used. So there are a couple of projects that that we're looking at but we don't think that the long-term perspective is is very good for that. Okay. Well Bill Morrissey the director of the Minnesota state parks distance. Thanks so much for being here this morning. We appreciate you coming in and taking the calls and Nina Archibald the director of the Minnesota historical. He also here this morning preciate that you being here. What's next for both of you? Are you do you have a project coming up that you will be working on together? I would say that we're going to be working to restore Aurora or to look at the Glendalough camp and also at the cuyuna range interpreting the the iron mining history there and thanks again for coming in and being appreciated Saturday. Midday is produced by Kitty Isley the technical directors for today's broadcast have been Steve Griffith and Michael Osborne. Thanks to all of you who listened in. To those of you who took time to call in and ask questions. We appreciated. Midday on Saturday is supported by the oriental rug company specializing in sales and service of handmade oriental rugs and located in Minneapolis at 50th and Bryant.