Historical society wants new visitors center at Fort Snelling

Published 10:22 am Tuesday, October 13, 2015

ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Historical Society plans to ask state lawmakers for more than $30 million to build a new visitors center at Fort Snelling.

Site manager Tom Pfannenstiel says the underground building where visitors pay admission, buy souvenirs and view exhibits before heading to the actual fort is leaking. Minnesota Historical Society public policy director David Kelliher says officials don’t think it makes sense to continue investing in the 32-year-old building.

Minnesota Public Radio News reports that the historical society, which operates the fort, wants to renovate vacant cavalry barracks on the property and convert it into a new visitors center.

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Officials hope to complete the project before Fort Snelling’s 200th anniversary celebration in 2020.