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2002 Historic Preservation Success Stories!
 How
can "Historic Preservation" breathe life back into a small community?
Take a lesson from the folks in Manfred, ND. An active group of preservationists
call Manfred History and Preservation, Inc.has revolutionized life for
those in tiny Manfred, and also for those that 'remember' what life was
like in a Manfred that bustled with people. A non-profit corporation, Manfred History and Preservation, Inc. has been bringing people back to Manfred, located in Wells County, ND. The members of the organization outnumber the residents of the community by 40 to 1. The organization brings people back like hosting Manfred Days, preserving the history of Manfred through nominating Can Lutheran Church to the National Register of Historic Places, and keeping people informed through their newsletter and website: www.manfrednd.org  Manfred
History and Preservation, Inc. was founded in July 2000, following a May mini-conference
in observance of National Preservation Week — 2000, by Preservation North
Dakota. Manfred History and Preservation, Inc. projects were introduced by coordinator
Wanda Melchert, who was inspired to continue her work after visiting with like-minded
people, and those that wanted to contribute volunteer time and money to accomplish
their goals. The following year, Manfred Days brought people back to the little community. They learned that Vang Lutheran had been accepted onto the National Register, and the Melby-Rogness House was on its way to becoming the Manfred Museum and History Gallery. Manfred History and Preservation, Inc. has launched a newsletter and wevsite to keep interested folks informed, and to keep them interested in the ongoing projects. Visitors had come from far and wide for Manfred Days — from Arizona to Florida, Texas to Montana — because they still cared about Manfred.  The
board of directors and other volunteers are doing all they can to preserve
the key buildings in Manfred. The organization has assisted Vang Lutheran
Church with fundraising efforts and grant applications. Vang Lutheran
Church is among the first groups to be offered a "Grassroots Preservation
Grant" by Preservation North Dakota. They plan to repair and preserve
the foundation of Vang Lutheran Church, improve the landscaping around
the building, and install rain gutters to provide drainage of water
away from the foundation. Although a small congregation, Vang Lutheran
still holds regular Sunday services, and will provide some of the volunteer
labor for the preservation project. The historic preservation movement seems to have caught on as well. The John and Malena Johnson Home, a Sears Roebuck Catalog home, is in the process of being nominated to the National Register by Laverne Johnson, and there may be plans in the works for the development of a nomination for the 1905 Beiseker Bank building as well. The interior work on the Melby-Rogness home restoration is slated to be completed by the end of 2002, so that a history display can be installed and ready for the grand opening of the history museum in 2003. This will proudly mark the 100th anniversary of the home's construction in 1903. To get involved, please contact Wanda Melchert at 701-324-2136 or via email: wrmelchert@westriv.com.
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