2. Mission
The Minnesota Valley History Learning
Center teaches the cultural and
natural heritage of the Minnesota
River Valley and inspires people of all
generations to understand, preserve,
and learn from our shared history.
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3. Part of a Larger
Vision
Sustainable, regional destination to learn, research, recreate, and preserve:
• Tatanka Bluffs (tatankabluffs.com):
– Provides overarching vision and structure to development initiatives.
– Provide a more complete regional economy based upon the unique attributes of the
area.
• Green Corridor:
– Vehicle to connect area between Upper Sioux and Ft Ridgely with public land.
– Develop the area between the two casinos in manner that promotes the area and
respects our past.
• Minnesota Valley Regional Rail Authority (MVRRA):
– 5 Counties make up the MVRAA and own the 94 mile track between Norwood and Hanley
Falls. TC & W Railway operates the line and owns tracking rights to the Hopkins
station to link to the light passenger rail in the Twin Cities.
– Upgrade the current rail line to support vintage passenger rail from the Twin Cities.
– About 33% of the upgrade is already financed. Work completed to Winthrop.
• Minnesota Valley History Learning Center (MVHLC.org):
– Place major cultural and natural events into context.
– Immerse visitors into historical context to create an effective learning and
entertainment experience.
– Mix education with recreation to enhance both experiences.
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4. Economic Engine
• Educate
– Significant history
– Significant science
– Meet Minnesota Department of Education Standards and
Requirements
• Entertain
– Outdoor Recreation
– Indoor Recreation
– Tie to existing recreation opportunities
• Compliment and support existing economic engines
– Agriculture
– Mining and Manufacturing
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5. Board of Directors
President and Executive Director: Board Member:
Carl Colwell Dr Pauline Nickel
West Point, 1981 Executive Director,
Lieutenant Colonel (Ret), US Army U of M Southwest Research and
Outreach Center, Lamberton
Vice President:
Teresa Peterson Board Member:
Executive Director, Ken Speake
Dakota Wicohan Newscaster Emeritus
KARE 11 TV
Secretary:
Dan Reek Board Member:
CEO, Dr Susan Weller
Rural Energy Connections, LLC Executive Director,
U of M, Bell Museum of Natural
Treasurer: History
Ted Suss
Superintendent,
Wabasso Public Schools
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6. Form
Natural
History
Minnesota Valley
History Learning Center
Cultural
Education
History
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7. Revenue Streams
1. Learning Center
A. K-12 Program Concept to
B. Other Education Programs
Cash Flow
• Tourist Destination with Just
A. Educational Exhibits
1)
2)
Bell Museum Outdoor Programs and Exhibits
Cultural and Historical Programs and Exhibits
these two
B. Recreation Programs Streams
1) Indoor and Outdoor Activities
2) Training and Qualification Programs
3) Rail/Trail Hubs
3. Research Center
A. Genealogical Resource Center
B. Natural and Cultural Historic Sites and Resource Material
• Corporate University Host
• Other
A. Summer Camps
B. Elder Hostels
C. Special Events (Farm Fest, alumni events, etc)
D. Room Rental (weddings, training sessions, etc)
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8. Major Themes
(In order of historical occurrence)
• Gneiss (~3.6 billion years old)
• Glacial River Warren
• Biological Diversity/Natural History Initial
• Native American Culture Focus
– Before Contact
– After Contact
• US - Dakota War of 1862
• Immigration and Settlement
• Pioneer life
• Production Agriculture
• Railroads Some of Minnesota’s
most significant
• Cultural Diversity natural and cultural
historic events
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10. Outdoor Educational
Sites
• River Warren Sites • Pioneer Sites
– Cedar Mountain – Walnut Grove
– Morton Monuments – Sod House
Overlook – Ox Cart trails
• Dakota Sites – Gold mine
– Dakota Wicohan – Museums
– Interpretive Center • Agriculture Sites
– Lower Sioux Reservation – SWROC
– Upper Sioux Reservation – Gilfillan
– Others – Olivia
• Gneiss Sites • US-Dakota War Sites
– MVHLC Scientific Natural – Wood Lake
Area (SNA) – Birch Coulee
– Cedar Mountain SNA – Redwood Ferry
– Montevideo – Fort Ridgely
– Camp Pope
– Camp Release
– Others
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11. Outdoor Recreation
Sites
• Gneiss Quarry Swimming/Ropes Challenge Course
• ATV/ORV Courses
• Team Challenge Course
• Team and Individual Orienteering
• Geocaching
• Canoeing
• Hike and Bike Trails
• Horse Trails
• Indoor and Outdoor Archery
• Shooting
• Winter activities
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12. Production Potential Outdoor
Agriculture Birch Coulee
Olivia Battlefield Educational &
Ox Cart
Recreational Sites
Potential MVHLC
Trails Outdoor Rec Areas
Sacred
Heart
Monuments
MVHLC
Banks of the Ancient
Morton River Warren
Gneiss
Scientific Quarry
Natural
Area
Battle of
Redwood Ferry
Interpretive
Center Trading
Post
Lower Sioux
Community 12
13. Scientific Potential Outdoor
Natural
Area Educational &
Recreational Sites
MVHLC
Sears
Birthplace
Ramsey
Park
Lower Sioux Dakota
Community Sites
Bishop
Whipple
Mission
Walnut
Grove U of M
(25 mi) Research and Cedar
Outreach Mountain
Center (20 mi) Vision
Gilfillan Farm Quest Site
Sod House
(20 mi)
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14. Latest Developments
• Non-Profit Established
• Initial Campus Secured
– Morton EDA Financing the Purchase of the Buildings and Initial
Campus
– Morton Area Community Foundation Agrees to Open a Project
Fund to Support Building Renovations
• Curriculum Being Developed
– U of M (SWROC) Supervising and Writing
– Parker D. Sanders Foundation
– U of M contributions
• Professional Marketing Materials Created
– Video and Printed Materials
– Website and Facebook
We Need Your Support
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15. Contact Us
Minnesota Valley History Learning Center
PO Box 266
280 North Centennial Drive
Morton, MN 56270
507-626-4279
MVHLC.org
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