2007: Deanna Dagen, Dagen's Store

Jud, ND - A Preservation North Dakota 2007 Excellence Award is presented to Dagen's Store owner Deanna Dagen for the restoration work she accomplished on the historic storefront in Jud, ND.

Dagen's Grocery, was the first building constructed on the town site of Jud, and is over 100 years old. A lean-to serving as the first post office was incorporated into the larger structure built as a combination dry goods store and hotel. The lean-to is still there. The building is currently sound and in excellent repair thanks to Miss Dagen. Since being added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005, Deanna has opened the store and what used to be the hotel lobby and dining area, as a community museum. During the summer months she conducts tours upon request. She will even allow special visitors upstairs, where she resides, to view the intact hotel rooms.

The cream station and store artifacts are authentic. Dagen's remains exactly as it was when closed in 1991. In fact, the store has had no interior or exterior alterations made to it since the cream station was added in the 1920s. Remodeling to living quarters for the Dagen family took place in the 1930s and 40s. The structure itself preserves many examples of turn of the century construction and materials.

The enclosed pictures show the pressed tin exterior which is all original. Upper story windows were boarded up after a devastating hail storm broke out all the windows on the north side. At the suggestion of Preservation North Dakota, Deanna had a local artist paint the panels covering them to look like windows; complete with lace curtains and her cat getting into mischief. Some visitors have not realized they are boarded up! When the cream station door was uncovered in 2004 in readiness for Jud's Centennial, the station sign was found in excellent condition.

Dagen's Grocery is a remarkable step back in time when folks went to town every Saturday night to sell the cream and eggs and socialize with friends and neighbors.

Deanna Dagen worked tirelessly to clear and clean the premises for the opening of the museum. It was at her own expense that all necessary repairs and restoration work was done. Dagen's Grocery now stands as a historic landmark in LaMoure County. Miss Dagen deserves recognition for her contribution in preserving and maintaining a building that may have been destroyed if she had listened to what many in the community were saying.

Accepting the award was Deanna Dagen, owner of the Historic Dagen's Store.

2007: Dickinson Area Public Library

Dickinson, ND - A Preservation North Dakota 2007 Excellence Award is also presented to the Dickinson Area Public Library for sensitive renovation work; including a new addition to continue using the historic building to provide library services to the community.

The community of Dickinson is only just beginning to promote the concept and value of historic preservation. While some property owners are only just starting to become interested in the potential uses of restored buildings, the Dickinson Area Public Library is an example of an already completed project that has embraced preservation in its recent renovations. The original Carnegie library, built between 1908 and 1910, has been expanded over the years to include two wings. An expansion of the east wing was only completed this fall. The attention to detail throughout the expansion by both the architects and library staff is to be commended.

The original art deco style has been carried throughout the building on both the interior and exterior of the building. The restored metal ceiling in the original section of the library was carefully pieced back together. A color scheme and furnishings were also chosen with the original architecture in mind. Even drawer pulls were chosen to fit the architectural context of the rest of the building. A great deal of work went into preserving the character of the original building, and maintaining that in the new construction.

The library expansion is a significant project deserving recognition as the property had a significant expansion that ties in remarkably well with the original building. A project that more than doubles the size of the original building could easily overwhelm the original architecture and destroy the integrity. This project not only maintains that integrity, it embraced it and carried it through to the new addition.

Accepting the award was Janet Prchal on behalf of the library commission which spearheaded the renovation project.

2006: Wimmer's Properties

A Preservation North Dakota 2006 Preservation Excellence Award is presented to Wimmer's Properties for the restoration work on three historic storefronts on Main Street in Fargo, ND.

Wimmer's Jewelers, a long-established downtown business, desired to rehabilitate their historic properties on Main Avenue, all constructed before the turn of the century. They desired to provide an image of progressive commercial shops housed in a space that would retain distinguishing architectural features, including some showing their original historic character. These three properties serve as an interesting contrast in historic property rehabilitation.

Situated at the corner of Broadway and Main Avenue, 602 Main Avenue is said to be the first brick building in Fargo. Constructed in 1878 as the site for the First National Bank, the original two-story building featured corbelled brick cornice and rounded arched windows with brick keystones. The site was taken over by C.E. Shotwell store for ladies furnishings between 1910 and 1923. Shotwell's changed the façade of the building several times during its residence at the location. The most significant changes to the structure occurred in 1957 when it underwent extensive "modernization," including having the brick corbelled detail and hoodmolds at the windows cut back flush with the base wall condition and precast concrete panels installed over the existing face brick. Other changes included cutting large portions of the lower storefront and installing a projecting display window with black granite facing after removing portions of the existing brick. Due to the extensive damage to the original façade as well as the structural changes to the lower display window, they decided to restore the building to its 1957 vintage. The building underwent window replacement, storefront renovations, and remedial work on the stone. The restored project complements the Broadway streetscape and can be recognized for the style of that period of time in the history of downtown Fargo.

604 Main Avenue was constructed adjacent to 602 Main Avenue in 1879 to match the Italianate style of the First National Bank building. Changes that occurred to 604 Main Avenue over the years were much less invasive than the changes seen at 602 Main Avenue. They were able to restore the building to its 1920s style. This was accomplished with a new storefront modeled from historic photographs, window replacement, and repainting of the façade. It was felt that this style would best compliment the proposed streetscape.

606 Main Avenue required substantial reconstruction of the upper façade as a result of structural instability exhibited by the brick veneer. Historic photographs provided guidance in replicating the original construction.

Restoration of Wimmer's three adjacent properties provided the block with a stable corner stone. Other properties along the block were restored following the Wimmer's projects, creating a welcoming environment for visitors and residents to enjoy. Restoring these properties created a wonderful asset for downtown Fargo, and has brought new vitality to the area.

Accepting the award were Brad and Deb Wimmer on behalf of Wimmer's Properties, as well as Herman Novak and Mark Johnson on behalf of Shultz & Associates, Ltd., architect firm for the project.

2006: Plaza Community Museum

A Preservation North Dakota 2006 Preservation Excellence Award is also presented to Plaza Community Museum for the restoration work by the entire community on this endangered property.

Have you ever heard the expression, "If walls could talk?" Well, the Plaza Community Museum has an incredible story to tell. According to Rev. Charles Hall in "One Hundred Years on Fort Berthold", a steamboat that came up the Missouri River delivered the lumber used to build the Indian mission chapel. That steamboat carried supplies into the Dakota Territory for Gen. George Armstrong Custer, then stationed at Fort Abraham Lincoln south of Bismarck/Mandan. The mission chapel was the beginning of Congregational mission work at "Like-a-Fishook" Indian village. The Indian village, eventually known as old Fort Berthold, was located some forty miles southeast of the present day community of Plaza.

In 1897, the mission work was moved about twenty miles upstream on the Missouri River to Elbowoods; where a new chapel, school and housing, were constructed. The mission chapel at old Fort Berthold was vacated. Sometime thereafter, the newly formed Congregational Church in Plaza secured the building. According to early records, the old chapel building was moved to Plaza in 1906. The Congregational Church of Plaza continued to serve the community until 1960.

In 1975, the old Congregational Church building was set up as a museum for the community of Plaza. Artifacts from the early history of the area have been donated for display, and volunteers have managed the museum.

By 2002, the museum building, now owned by the city, was suffering from years of deferred maintenance, a leaking roof and general disrepair. Preservation North Dakota was asked to make a site visit to provide some technical and possibly financial assistance towards a restoration effort. After seeing the property, it was placed on that year's 3 Most Endangered Properties in North Dakota List. A listing of significant properties in the state that are in imminent danger of being lost, published annually by Preservation North Dakota to call attention to the need for immediate action to save these important icons of our history.

Following that first visit, a section of the foundation collapsed making the situation even worse. Interior plaster and the pressed tin ceiling in the bell-tower were being destroyed due to the leak in the roof. It was determined that immediate repairs were necessary to stabilize the property, so a restoration of the building could begin.

Preservation North Dakota helped to organize a local affiliate in Plaza. Its Board of Directors has overseen the restoration project. Preservation North Dakota has also offered additional technical and fundraising assistance to the effort, and has awarded the project a $6,000.00 "Grassroots Grant" to begin the stabilization of the building. The community's goal was to have the museum restored and open for its centennial celebration in July, 2006.

In the fall of 2002, the foundation was repaired. In 2003 volunteer work days were held, inviting Preservation North Dakota and the State Historical Society of North Dakota, as well as local residents to get involved in the project "hands on". The group worked on scraping, priming and painting as well ass siding and window repair. Volunteers ranged from students to executive officers, and were aged 14 to 92! The community feed and watered the group of volunteers in a manner fit for a king. The steeple was restored and shingles were replaced in 2004-2005. And in 2006 the interior plaster and paint was completed just in time for the centennial celebration!

This project is an inspiration to the preservation community, and shows what can be accomplished by local volunteers on a limited budget. Our hats are off to the folks in Plaza.

Accepting the award were Doris Yri and Ole Lynne on behalf of the group which restored the Plaza Community Museum church building.

2005: Friends of Betania Church

The Preservation North Dakota 2005 Preservation Excellence Award is presented to Friends of Betania Church for the exceptional restoration work on this prairie treasure.

Betania Lutheran Church was organized in a school house near the Tom Esterby farm in Brander Township by Rev. Raftshol May 9, 1905. The first congregational meeting was held in 1906. Plans were made for a cemetery and a committee was appointed to see about a church. The former Gravly post office and store was bought and moved in 1906 and remodeled to be used as a church. The cemetery site was donated by Marie Jensen. In the years that followed, Betania Lutheran Church became a center of activity for this rural community.

After the establishment of the church, the women of the parish formed a Ladies' Aid Society. In the winter months the church held Sunday school along with the worship services. Baptisms, confirmations, marriage, and funerals served as the most pivotal events in the church. A local man, Peter Tengesdal was ordained at the church in 1954. For many years Betania held joint services with the Holden Church in Newborg Township alternating every other Sunday. Holden Church closed its doors in 1965.

Farm consolidation and regional out-migration diminished the demographic base of the parish, so much in fact, that in 1976 it dissolved and ceased regular services. Recently, occasional services and special events have been held in the church.

Restoration of the church included re-shingling the roof, opening up the steeple and uncovering windows. Windows and doors that could not be repaired were replaced with wooden replicas of the original. What a beautiful entrance the five paneled front doors with historic hardware provide. Moisture had deteriorated the north wall and sill of the steeple, these areas were rebuilt. The entire exterior was repainted and then attention was focused on an interior restoration. Much of the labor was donated. Restoration work of this quality is worthy of our sincere praise and recognition.

Accepting the award were Kenny, Kevin, and Kristine Tengesdal on behalf of the group which restored the Betania Church.

2004: Franklin Elementary School

The Preservation North Dakota 2004 Preservation Excellence Award is presented to Roy and Christine Sheppard for rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of the Franklin Elementary School in Jamestown. This beautiful Classical Revival style structure, designed by Joseph Bell DeRemer of Grand Forks, served its community for 90 years, from 1910 through 2000. Closed and vacated by the local school district, the school stood empty until the fall of 2001, when it was purchased and subsequently renovated by the Sheppards. Upon completion in 2003, it became the CSi Technology Center, a computer sales/service/web hosting business and a cable television/high speed internet services provider.

The Sheppards utilized the state's Renaissance Zone program and its historic preservation tax incentives to facilitate the historic rehabilitation of the building, and it retains all of its original exterior as well as much of its original floor plan, features and materials on the interior. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in May, 2002. The architectural firm for the project was YHR Partners of Fargo-Moorhead. It stands as a unique blend of the old and the new... an historic school building housing the most modern high tech operations. The Center continues to serve the community as an educational facility, since computer classes are taught on a daily basis in the Learning Center, formerly a 5th grade classroom. The internationally-known author, Louis L'Amour was a student at Franklin during the 1920s, and tours of the building are part of the daily schedule..

Accepting the award were Roy and Christine Sheppard.

2003: Assumption Abbey/St. Mary's Church

The Preservation North Dakota 2003 Preservation Excellence Award was presented to Assumption Abbey for the incredible restoration work on the Abbey and St. Mary's Church of Richardton, ND. A project of such magnitude is seldom undertaken in rural North Dakota. Restoration work has been completed in stages over a period of several years. The interior was completed in 2002 and exterior work is currently in progress. The twin spires are certainly one of the great landmarks of the North Dakota prairie.

The monks of Assumption Abbey have a deep sense of appreciation for their community heritage. Preservation is not just about building materials - it is also about culture, community, creative strategies to overcome problems, and developing an appreciation in future generations through continued use of our precious historic resources. The restoration of Assumption Abbey and St. Mary's Church, makes a lasting contribution to preservation efforts in the state.

Accepting the award were Abbot Patrick Moore O.S.B. and Father Thomas Wordekemper O.S.B.

2002: Sunnyside Cemetery Association and Ladbury Restoration Volunteers

The Preservation North Dakota 2002 Preservation Excellence Award was presented to the Sunnyside Cemetery Association and Ladbury Restoration Volunteers, of rural Sibley. Volunteers from all across the state of North Dakota and Minnesota, took part in the project. The collaboration has helped save a small rural church that may have otherwise been demolished. Creative problem solving and a deep sense of appreciation for their community heritage, have helped make a lasting contribution to preservation efforts in the state.

The local volunteers of the Sunnyside Cemetery Association have been given this award for the restoration of the Ladbury Church near Sibley, ND. Active on the project since August of 2000, this group has preserved and renovated a prairie church closed since 1936. Over 3,000 volunteer hours were worked to complete the project in time for a wedding ceremony at the church on August 23, 2002. Preservation is not just about building materials - it is also about culture, community, creative strategies to overcome problems, and developing an appreciation in future generations through continued use of our precious historic resources.

Accepting the award on behalf of the group were Keith and Lois Muncy, rural Dazey, ND and George Amann rural Sibley, ND.

2001: Icelandic Churches of northeastern North Dakota

The Preservation North Dakota 2001 Preservation Excellence Award is presented to the Icelandic Churches of northeastern North Dakota. The collaboration of several congregations and the sharing of resources within the communities has helped save several of the small rural churches that may otherwise have been closed, demolished, or abandoned. Creative problem solving and a deep sense of appreciation for their heritage have helped make a lasting contribution to preservation efforts in the state.

Economic hardships and harsh weather in the late 1800s was causing famine in Iceland forcing people to search for opportunities elsewhere. Immigrants came to northeastern Dakota Territory through Canada and as they settled into the area, they formed congregations that met in homes or schools, until church buildings could be built. In all, the Icelandic pioneers in this region built eight churches. Seven of those churches remain and are still in use today.

The northeastern Icelandic Churches being honored include:

• Vikur Lutheran Church (Mountain, ND) built in 1884
• Vidalin Lutheran Church (Akra and Hensel, ND communities) built in 1888
• Gardar Pioneer Lutheran Church (just outside Gardar, ND) built in 1888
• Thingvalla Lutheran Church (Eyford, ND) built in 1892
• Fjalla Church (Milton, ND area) built in 1894
• Hallson Lutheran Church (now in the Icelandic State Park) built in 1897
• Gardar Lutheran Church (Gardar, ND) built in 1911
• Svold Lutheran Church (Peters, ND) built in 1949