2011 Honor Awards - Preservation Excellence Award

Preservation Excellence Award

The Preservation Excellence Award recognizes excellence in the preservation of an historically significant building, structure, resource, or site that has contributed in a tangible and exemplary manner to furthering preservation in North Dakota.  

Manfred is a small community in Wells County right along ND Highway 52. In 2000, descendants of the original settlers founded Manfred History & Preservation, Incorporated to preserve the community’s history and restore some of the existing buildings. Preservation and restoration efforts in this small community have been so successful that several off-shoots of the original nonprofit have formed through PND’s Local Affiliate Program to take on specific projects. There are now four nonprofit organizations operating in Manfred. As a preservation project concludes, the building is accessioned into the Manfred Heritage Museum Complex.

In addition to the museum complex and the preservation projects, Vang Lutheran Church in Manfred has an active congregation. The members of the various nonprofits continue to help the congregation preserve their beautiful church.

The cooperation among various groups in this small rural community has been instrumental in the success of this ambitious project to preserve and celebrate the heritage of rural America.

1910 Manfred School

1899 Solheim House