In Support of Expanded Stories, MNHS to Gather Public Input on the Name for Historic Fort Snelling

The Minnesota Historical Society will launch a statewide effort, now through Nov. 15, to gather public input on the name of Historic Fort Snelling, in light of the ongoing revitalization and the expanded stories of history being shared at the historic site.

MNHS governing board past president Phyllis Goff will chair a task force to lead the public input process that will include additional board members as well as independent community leaders.

Following public input, the MNHS board will consider the findings and determine a course of action by early 2020. Should the board recommend a name change, it would then go to the Minnesota Legislature, which has final say over name changes for properties in the state's historic sites network.

For more than a decade, MNHS has worked to broaden the stories shared at Historic Fort Snelling, Minnesota's first National Historic Landmark. The property is owned by the state of Minnesota, managed by MNHS, and located on 23 acres of land adjacent to the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers, known as Bdote in the Dakota language. The site includes the historic fort and several historic and newer buildings outside the fort, including the current visitor center and future visitor center, which will be housed in a 1904 cavalry barracks.

MNHS is looking at whether the current name, Historic Fort Snelling, adequately reflects the experience visitors have at the site, engaging with the history of the many women and men who have crossed paths there. These stories are of soldiers, veterans and their families; enslaved and free African Americans; Japanese Americans; and Native Americans who have lived in the area for 10,000 years.

"We've received excellent feedback from visitors to Historic Fort Snelling about the expanded programming we've developed with our community partners and about our plans for the site's revitalization," said Kent Whitworth, MNHS director and CEO. "MNHS remains solidly committed to our vision of telling the stories of all Minnesotans and serving all the people of our state."

Beginning today and running through Nov. 15, the public is invited to share input online at http://www.mnhs.org/naming. In addition, facilitated meetings will be held to further the conversation. A list of the meeting locations will be available by Sept. 9, 2019, at http://www.mnhs.org/naming.

Specifically, the public is being asked to comment on the name of the MNHS historic site, Historic Fort Snelling. The name of the restored 1820s fort structure, which sits on about 4 acres of the 23-acre historic site, will not change-it will continue to be called Fort Snelling in state and federal records. MNHS is asking the public to weigh in whether the name of the entire site should be expanded to reflect the broader area and many stories of history now shared there.

Initially named Fort St. Anthony when soldiers began building the fort in 1820, the U.S. War Department changed the name to Fort Snelling in 1825 to recognize Josiah Snelling, the commanding officer who oversaw its construction. In 1960, the fort became the state's first National Historic Landmark, and in 1970, MNHS began actively interpreting the site for the public.

Over the years, the historic site has had a number of different names as the management of the property has changed hands, including Fort Snelling State Historical Park and Old Fort Snelling Historic District. The name Historic Fort Snelling first appeared in state law in 1993. For generations, the Dakota have called the land where the fort sits Bdote, a descriptive name that refers to the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers.

In 2017, MNHS installed temporary signs at the site that added the phrase "at Bdote" following the name "Historic Fort Snelling" to reflect the additional stories shared at the fort and the location of the fort itself. While the official name of the site, Historic Fort Snelling, was not changed, the signs caused public confusion about whether the name had changed. The temporary signs will be taken down while the public naming process is underway and as construction for the revitalization project starts. Removal of the current visitor center is slated to begin in early 2020. As part of the revitalization and efforts to expand stories being shared, additional interpretive signs will be created that provide more information on Bdote and the site's broader history.

"We welcome the input of all Minnesotans in this process, whether online or in person," said Whitworth. "The best way for anyone to engage is to first visit Historic Fort Snelling to experience our expanded programming and be reminded of the significance of this National Historic Landmark and the thousands of years of human history in the area."

For more information and to provide online feedback visit http://www.mnhs.org/naming.

Historic Fort Snelling Revitalization Project

The revitalization project is slated to break ground in early 2020. It includes removal of the current, failing visitor center; creation of a dynamic new visitor center with a 4,000-square-foot exhibit inside a rehabilitated 1904 cavalry barracks; landscaping that provides opportunities for outdoor learning, reflection and commemoration; and improved parking, wayfinding and access. The $34.5 million project includes $19.5 million appropriated by the state, plus $15 million pledged in private dollars. The site will remain open during construction with work expected to be completed in 2022.

Visitors can explore a full season of great programs at Historic Fort Snelling through October. The fort is open Tuesdays through Sundays until Labor Day, and Saturdays, Labor Day through October 26. Additional hours are available for school groups in the spring and fall. Learn more at http://www.mnhs.org/fortsnelling.

About Historic Fort Snelling

Historic Fort Snelling, Minnesota's first National Historic Landmark, resides on Dakota homeland known as Bdote. The restored 1820s fort and visitor center present the stories of those who crossed paths here-from the Dakota, Ojibwe, and enslaved people, to fur traders, immigrants, soldiers and veterans. The site is located at state Highways 5 and 55 overlooking the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers. For more information, visit http://www.mnhs.org/fortsnelling.

About the Minnesota Historical Society

The Minnesota Historical Society is a nonprofit educational and cultural institution established in 1849. MNHS collects, preserves and tells the story of Minnesota's past through museum exhibits, libraries and collections, historic sites, educational programs and publishing. Using the power of history to transform lives, MNHS preserves our past, shares our state's stories and connects people with history. Visit us at mnhs.org.