You can do something positive to help preserve the Upper Post!

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Below is the text of a letter which the Friends of Fort Snelling has sent to each of our members of Congress. As you can see when you read it, there is a wonderful opportunity to start the process of restoring the buildings on the Upper Post.

You can help make this opportunity a reality by sending your own letters of support for this initiative or telephoning your senators and representatives. Please personalize your letters with your own words. For your convenience, I am attaching the addresses and phone numbers for each senator and representative.

Thank you in advance for your efforts.

Dorothy Waltz, President
Friends of Fort Snelling - Fort Snelling State Park Association

July 14, 2009

Subject: Renovation of the Bishop Whipple Building and Restoration of the Historic Fort Snelling Upper Post

Dear (senator/representative)

We have just learned of an unprecedented opportunity to preserve and restore the Upper Post of Historic Fort Snelling - something Minnesotans have been struggling to do for decades. How? By bringing together certain Federal agencies, which need convenient temporary office space, and our disintegrating major historic landmark, which can provide the needed space.

As you are aware, a task force of federal, state, and local agencies and non-profits has been working for several years to save the Upper Post of the Fort Snelling National Historic Landmark. Since the National Trust for Historic Preservation declared the Upper Post one of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places, there has been remarkable progress. The task force is pursuing diverse alternatives. Unfortunately, most involve years of preparation before any major adaptive reuse can occur. In contrast, what we are suggesting would start the restoration immediately.

The General Services Administration is planning to rehabilitate the Bishop Henry Whipple Building, which is adjacent to the Upper Post. GSA plans to relocate all the current tenants over the next two years, renovate the building over a three-year period once the tenants are out, and then move the people back in. The money available to prepare temporary space for the Whipple employees could be used to renovate buildings on the Upper Post.

Such a move would generate two beneficial outcomes: The tenants would not have to move far and could continue their same commuting patterns, using, in particular, the light rail station at the Whipple Building. And the Upper Post would get a fantastic "jump start" towards full renovation and reuse.

Because the Whipple Building is a very popular location and is currently more than 100-percent occupied (according to GSA guidelines), some tenants could move back in while others could stay at the Upper Post. GSA would have no problem filling the Whipple building again. We have heard that the Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 3, favors such an option. Also, we understand that the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area of the National Park Service is interested in moving to the Upper Post. Even before the employees return to the Whipple Building, the presence of federal agencies at the Upper Post would demonstrate the potential and value of this location, and could entice other agencies, organizations, and businesses to invest in further restoration of the Upper Post.

The Fort Snelling State Park Association urges you to help achieve this wonderful two-for-the-price-of-one outcome by asking the General Services Administration to choose the Upper Post for temporary office space. If you have any questions or would like to contact me directly, I am available at 651-917-0930 or at <mailto:dwaltz@isd.net>dwaltz@isd.net or at the mailing address above.

Thank you very much for your attention to this important opportunity.

Sincerely,

Dorothy Waltz, President

It is especially helpful if you contact your own representative. You can find a map of the state's congressional districts at the Minnesota Secretary of State's office, or see the Congressional Districts Map.

Senators

The Honorable Amy Klobuchar
302 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
phone: 202-224-3244

The Honorable Al Franken
320 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-5641

Representatives

First District (southern Minnesota)
The Honorable Tim Walz
1722 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: 202-225-2472

Second District (southern suburbs)
The Honorable John Kline
1210 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2271

Third District (western suburbs)
The Honorable Erik Paulsen
126 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2871

Fourth District (Saint Paul and inner suburbs)
The Honorable Betty McCollum
1714 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
phone: (202) 225-6631

Fifth District (Minneapolis and inner suburbs)
The Honorable Keith Ellison
1122 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-2305
Phone: 202-225-4755

Sixth District (northern suburbs and Saint Cloud)
The Honorable Michele Bachmann
107 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2331

Seventh District (western Minnesota)
The Honorable Collin Peterson
2211 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2165

Eighth District (northeastern Minnesota)
The Honorable James Oberstar
2365 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-6211

Overnight Website Challenge

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Friends of Fort Snelling has a new website thanks to the Overnight Website Challenge! We paired up with Team Inetium and after 24 hours of hard work and no sleep, we have new features and a whole new look!

Pat Bauer and David Geister's Civil War "Alphabet" Book

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Pat Bauer and David Geister, familiar to many of you as costumed interpreters at Historic Fort Snelling, have just published their first joint venture: B is for Battle Cry: A Civil War Alphabet.

Pat, the book's author, is a teacher as well as an author. She uses poetry, music, costumes, picture books, and literature to engage students in the study of American history.

Dave is an historical artist and illustrator whose paintings have been featured in The Saturday Evening Post, The Military Collector and Historian, and several issues of The History Channel Magazine.

This beautifully-illustrated book for children and young people makes an ideal gift. Copies are on sale at the Red Balloon Bookstore in Saint Paul and many other booksellers. Visit www.davidgeister.com to preview the book, hear some of the songs, and find out about their future appearances.

News

You can do something positive to help preserve the Upper Post!

Overnight Website Challenge

Pat Bauer and David Geister's Civil War "Alphabet" Book