The 2004-2005 biennial budget proposed today by Gov. Tim Pawlenty would reduce state funding of the Minnesota Historical Society by 15 percent, or about $8.046 million, for the two-year period. This cut would be in addition to the $1.066 million reduction the Society made previously to reduce its spending for FY 2003, ending June 30.
“The Society will do its part to help during this difficult economic period,” said Nina Archabal, the Society’s director. “But it pains us greatly to reduce our service to Minnesotans. We take very seriously our responsibilities as an educational institution, steward of our state’s history, employer and economic driver for our communities.”
Under the 15 percent cost-reduction plan announced by the Society following the release of Gov. Pawlenty’s proposed FY 2004-2005 budget, historic sites would close or operate on a reduced schedule; hours and services at the History Center museum, library and archives would be cut; fewer programs and services would be offered; funds to acquire historical collections would be severely limited; and grants and other assistance to local historical societies and preservation programs would be reduced.
Nearly 200 full- and part-time employees and management staff would lose their jobs. Some of those affected have worked at the Society for more than 20 years.
The Minnesota Legislature and the governor will ultimately set the state’s budget for the next two years.
Facing the likelihood of deep cuts in the Society’s budget, Archabal explained that the Society has adopted two guiding principles. “First, we must consider how the cuts will affect the people who visit the History Center and our historic sites, as well as those who use our collections. Second, we must consider the Society’s responsibility for the continuing care of the collections of books, photographs, artifacts and historic buildings we hold in trust for the people of Minnesota.”
Last year, about one million people visited the Society’s historic sites and the Minnesota History Center.
“As much as possible, we will try to maintain our programs for children,” said Archabal. “At a time when the schools also face challenges, our partnership with teachers and parents to bring the lessons of the past alive is vitally important.”
Services and programs in all the Society’s divisions – historic sites, library and archives, museums, historic preservation, publishing and administration – would experience cuts.
Historic sites
Seven of the Society’s 20 historic sites would close indefinitely, beginning July 1, 2003, the start of the Society’s fiscal year. They include the James J. Hill House in St. Paul, Comstock House in Moorhead, Oliver H. Kelley Farm in Elk River, Historic Forestville near Preston, Fort Ridgely near Fairfax and Lower Sioux Agency near Redwood Falls. Grand Mound, near International Falls, will not open in the spring and will be closed indefinitely. The Society would continue to maintain and provide security for these sites.
One site, the Forest History Center, which received an appropriation from the 2002 Legislature for capital improvements, would close temporarily for renovation and re-open in 2004 or 2005. The renewed site will feature new exhibits, trails and an enhanced visitors center.
Twelve historic sites would remain open, but offer reduced hours and fewer programs. Those to remain open are Historic Fort Snelling, Alexander Ramsey House, Sibley House Historic Site, Jeffers Petroglyphs, Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site, Mille Lacs Indian Museum, Minnesota State Capitol, North West Company Fur Post and Split Rock Lighthouse. Three sites with self-guided trails, the Birch Coulee Battlefield, Marine Mill and Traverse des Sioux, would continue to be open to the public.
Five other sites, which are owned by the Society and operated by county historical societies or other local agencies, including Minnehaha Depot, Harkin Store, Folsom House, Lac qui Parle Mission and W. W. Mayo House, are expected to remain open.
“Proposing to close historic sites is extremely difficult but necessary to meet the 15 percent budget cut,” said Archabal. “In considering our sites individually and as destinations throughout the state, we took into account four key factors: number of visitors per year; costs of operation; geographic location; and recent improvements and investments funded by the state and private donors.”
Faced with budget cuts last year, the Society had proposed to close Historic Fort Snelling, which is in need of major investment and restoration. In 2002, the Legislature made a commitment toward revitalizing the site with a $500,000 appropriation. These funds have enabled the Society to begin planning physical improvements and an interpretive program designed to enhance Fort Snelling – one of the state’s most significant and best-loved historic sites – as a major educational and recreational destination.
Library and archives
Students, researchers, genealogists and other individuals who use the History Center’s library and archives would face a 30 percent reduction in open hours, experience longer waits for access to historical materials and have fewer staff members to assist them. The reduced budget would constrain the collection of historical documents, resulting in lost opportunities for documenting Minnesota’s history, and limit the acquisition of new books and periodicals. The Society’s efforts to make collections accessible via the Web would be curtailed significantly.
Museums
As a result of the budget cut, the Minnesota History Center Museum would close early three days a week and the frequency of new exhibits would be slowed. There would be fewer programs for the public, such as family activities, lectures and performances, and there would be a reduction in the number of programs serving school groups.
In addition, artifact collecting and public access to the museum collections would be severely curtailed. The Society would acquire fewer items for its museum collections and slow the effort to provide public access to artifacts through photos on the Web site.
Opening of the new Mill City Museum in September would not be affected. “Approximately $25 million of the museum’s $32 million development cost was raised from non-state funds,” said Archabal. “We must honor our commitments to our donors and to our partners. Mill City Museum will be an exciting, one-of-a-kind museum. It will tell the story of how the Falls of St. Anthony provided the power to transform Minnesota’s resources of lumber and wheat into a powerful economy for the state and the region.”
State Historic Preservation Office and Minnesota Historical Society Press
The State Historic Preservation Office and the Minnesota Historical Society Press would also be affected by the budget cut. Grants for county and local historical organizations would be reduced by two-thirds, and other efforts to help communities preserve their history would be greatly reduced. The Society’s popular barn preservation workshops would be cancelled. All research grants for both academic and independent research would be eliminated, and the number of books published would be reduced. The quarterly journal, Minnesota History, would be reduced in size and production quality.
Administration
Reductions made to the Society’s administration budget would cut deeply into support systems in finance, technology and institutional administration, which are needed for a complex statewide program. Still, the Society will continue to examine ways to further cut its administrative budget and work more efficiently.
The Minnesota Historical Society is a non-profit educational and cultural institution established in 1849 by the Territorial Legislature to preserve and share Minnesota history. The Society collects, preserves and tells the story of Minnesota’s past through museum exhibits, extensive libraries and collections, historic sites, educational programs and book publishing. It has traditionally received approximately two-thirds of its operating budget from the state of Minnesota.
“For 154 years, the people of Minnesota have entrusted us with the state’s history and with responsibility for the education and enlightenment of its citizens, young and old,” said Archabal. “Despite cuts to our budget, we will remain committed to our mission and will continue to serve the people of Minnesota with excellence and innovation.”