Related Items More Information on the PND Honor Awards

BISMARCK, ND - The Preservation North Dakota Honor Awards recognize outstanding achievements and excellence in historic preservation across the state of North Dakota. Recipients are selected by the awards committee from a pool of nominations, submitted by professionals and citizens from across the state.

"Preservation is quickly becoming more important to our states communities as they try to re-define themselves in the modern world," said Danielle Stuckle, the master of ceremonies for the evening's honor awards and a board member of Preservation North Dakota. "It was a difficult choice this year, but the committee selected recipients based on the quality of the preservation work done, and the significance of the projects to their respective communities. Each award winner's contribution to historic preservation in North Dakota is remarkable, and we want to recognize their achievements and share the stories of their hard work and dedication."

The awards ceremony honoring this year's recipients was held during the 19th Annual Governor's Conference on North Dakota History at the North Dakota Heritage Center, in Bismarck on Friday, November 2, 2007.

- Legacy Award -

Bismarck and Fargo, ND The Legacy Award is presented annually by Preservation North Dakota for exceptional achievement in preserving the historical, architectural and cultural environment of North Dakota. Individuals and groups that have made significant contributions to furthering preservation may be nominated to receive recognition. The accomplishments of those honored should serve as an example of exceptional merit for others.

The Preservation North Dakota 2007 Legacy Award was presented to Robert W. Harms and John T. Goff, Attorneys at Law, who took up the cause of defending the "Save the Jail" citizen action group in their battle against the government of Cass County. John Strand and Netty Berger were asked to help present the award.

Attorneys Robert W. Harms of Bismarck and John T. Goff of Fargo will soon be in front of the ND Supreme Court vigorously and selflessly defending citizens' rights to advocate for preservation of historic public buildings without fear of retribution by their very own elected officials.
This is the second time to the ND Supreme Court. The heretofore unheralded and unparalleled contribution of time, knowledge, professional services, and principled and complex legal challenges, represents no less than $150,000 in unpaid legal fees. They were doing it for principle. They were doing it for citizen preservationists.

The "Save the Jail" citizens group advocated saving, preserving and reusing the National Historic Register listed Cass County Jail and Sheriff's residence. The group evolved through time but included numerous civic, business, community leaders, and citizens. The citizens' effort beginning in April 2001 escalated to national prominence when in 2003 Cass County sued them for $39,000 damages over delays in demolition of the sheriff's residence upon the issuance of a Temporary Restraining Order against Cass County by the presiding Cass County District Judge.

This, after a second Attorney General Opinion begged the answer to a legal question whether demolition was part of construction project or not, and whether it should be voted on by the people before commencing. The first Attorney General Opinion sought by the Save the Jail Group resulted in two hearings by the North Dakota Historical Society Board, delaying demolition of the buildings more than the six days of the Temporary Restraining Order resulting in this "strategic lawsuit against public participation" or SLAPP suit.

Ultimately, most SLAPP suits are not legally successful. Nevertheless, while most SLAPP suits do not succeed in court, they "succeed" in the public arena. This is because defending a SLAPP, even when the legal defense is strong, requires a substantial investment of money, time, and resources. The resulting effect "chills" public participation in, and open debate on, important public issues. This chilling effect is not limited to the SLAPP defendants -- other people refrain from speaking out on issues of public concern because they fear being sued for what they say

John Goff and Robert Harms have championed the rights of preservationists to participate in public activities without fear of reprisal and retribution, especially by their own government officials. They spent an entire week in trial in June 2005. There were numerous hearings before that and the Supreme Court appeals since then.

They never really expected to get much money out of the citizens group they represented. They paid out of their pockets for court filings, court transcripts, publication services, legal research, travel, paralegal staff, secretarial support, and never once blamed the citizens who were already over their heads in a legal and unprecedented quagmire. They consistently and graciously supported those citizens and said what the county was doing was wrong and they were committed to defend citizens' rights.

Both attorneys stopped billing the citizens group some time ago. And they are still carrying on with the battle, without fanfare, without pay, just for principle. Meanwhile, over $75,000 has been paid by taxpayers to the biggest law firm in the state representing the biggest county in the state over the damages suit for $39,000 they brought against the citizens.

If strategic lawsuits against public participation become less likely in North Dakota, it is due to the community service provided to the preservation community by John T. Goff and Robert W. Harms.

Accepting the awards was Robert W. Harms of Bismarck, ND.

Former Legacy Award recipients include: Ron Ramsay - Fargo, Grand Forks Historic Preservation Commission - Grand Forks, Barbara McCormick - Devils Lake, Fr. William Sherman - now of Hillsboro, Dr. Ellen Chaffee - Valley City, and Tonset Church Historical Society - Lignite.

- Preservation Excellence Awards -

Recipients of the Preservation Excellence Award presented by Preservation North Dakota must have demonstrated excellence in the preservation of a historically significant structure, resource or site, and have contributed in a tangible and exemplary manner to furthering preservation in North Dakota. Areas of achievement may include: the restoration or rehabilitation of a building or other element of the built environment; or completion of a significant preservation program that has succeededin saving important elements of North Dakota's heritage. The achievement honored should serve as a model of excellence for others in North Dakota to emulate.

There are two award winners in this category this year. Stuckle announced that, "The awards committee was unable to select one over the other, and they are both deserving of recognition."

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.

The second award in the Preservation Excellence Category goes to:

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.

Former Preservation Excellence Award recipients include: Plaza Community Museum - Plaza Community Museum - Plaza. Friends of Betania Church - Maxbass, Franklin Elementary School - Jamestown, the Icelandic churches of northeastern ND, Sunnyside Cemetery Association of the Ladbury Church - Barnes County, and Assumption Abbey - Richardton.

- Artisan Award -

Park River, ND -Recipients of the Artisan Award presented by Preservation North Dakota must have demonstrated excellence in professional contributions to the preservation of an historically significant structure, resource or site. Individuals or business firms must have contributed to the design arts, building trade, or craftsmanship on restoration projects furthering the preservation movement in North Dakota. The achievement should serve as a model of excellence for other professionals in North Dakota to emulate.

The 2007 Artisan Award was presented to Sundog Glass Design, in Park River. Jason Lindell, owner of the independent stained glass restoration firm and fused glass artist was chosen for the significant restoration work on a variety of windows in historic structures across North Dakota.

A native North Dakotan, Lindell's work is intrinsically tied to the prairie landscape. In 2002, he returned to his hometown of Park River and purchased a 1920 Greco-Roman designed church building, renovating it into a living space and a studio of traditional leaded glass fabrication and restoration. Lindell trained under stained glass artist Jeer Medenwald of Manville. Fascinated by the possibility of design, he taught himself the art of fusing. He is currently ND's only professional fuser.

Lindell is a founding member of New Bohemia, ND and a governor appointed board member of the North Dakota Council on the Arts where he was recently elected to the Executive Committee.

Lindell has completed stained glass restoration work on the former Masonic Lodge Building in Park River, Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Grand Forks, and the Sybil Center in Stanley, as well as numerous residential stained glass window restoration projects.

Janinne Paulson, president of the Sybil Center Board said, "I met Jason at Marketplace of Ideas and was immediately struck by his enthusiasm for historic buildings, we discussed the three leaded glass windows in the Sibyl Center that were in emergency need of restoration. Jason drove to Stanley to inspect the job in May 2005. He carefully disassembled the three high arched windows and transported them to Park River. He restored them there and returned the completed windows to the Sibyl Center in June 2005. The craftsmanship is superb."

Paulson when on to state, "While at the Sibyl Center Jason also performed an inspection of our two large stained glass windows and pronounced them in fine shape for their age. The board of the Sibyl Center was grateful for the restoration of windows that were in imminent danger of losing their panes due to deterioration of the lead. It was a significant bonus to also get an expert inspection and opinion regarding our large rose windows."

Lindell's work is exceptional, while many contractors chose not to tackle smaller and/or more difficult restoration projects in rural areas of the state; this doesn't deter Lindell. He has truly built a name for himself among those in the arts community, and his incredible restoration work speaks for itself. North Dakota is privileged to have this fine artist practicing his craft in our state.

Accepting the award was Jason Lindell.

Past recipients of the Artisan Award include: Heise Maintenance - Valley City, Schoen and Associates - Grand Forks, Rory Gabel - Valley City

- Bentley Award for "Volunteer of the Year" -

Almont, ND - The Bentley Award for "Volunteer of the Year" is presented for extraordinary dedication to volunteer service in the field of historic preservation in North Dakota. Originally created to recognize the efforts of Dale R. Bentley, Executive Director of Preservation North Dakota. The award continues to recognize the volunteer efforts of others who have demonstrated a passion and dedication to historic preservation in North Dakota.

The Preservation North Dakota 2007 Bentley Award for "Volunteer of the Year" was presented to Joel and Donna Johnson, dedicated volunteers and preservationists. There appreciation for rural North Dakota, and telling its story with historic places are evident in the time and energy they have donated to preserving the history and shaping the future of the small rural community of Sims and securing its presence in the State of North Dakota.

Danielle Stuckle, master of ceremonies, began her announcement of the award, by informing the audience that, "the awards committee didn't have to debate the worthiness of this nomination, it was basically impossible to select anyone else."

In 1884, the town of Sims had a population of more than 1,000 people; it was once the largest town in Morton County. It was only one year old, but a coal-mining boom, plus a brickyard, brought people to town in droves. Just six years later, only about 400 remained. The post office closed in October, 1947, and Sims is now pretty much a ghost town.

Nestled in the rolling grasslands of Morton County, the Sims Scandinavian Lutheran Church and its parsonage still stand intact. The church is the state's oldest protestant church west of the Missouri River, the parsonage being built as the first church in 1884.

The parsonage was constructed out of native Sims brick. The building provided worship space for the congregation on the second floor and churchgoers climbed a winding staircase to a cramped upper room to sing and worship. The room was little more than an attic, and although pastors wheeled in hog troughs for kneeling benches, many people were forced to stand throughout the entire service.

A private entrance and living quarters for the resident pastor were on the first floor. A lean-to addition at the back of the building afforded room for a Norwegian School. The building became a residence after the construction of the new church in the early 1900s. Sometime in the 1940s, the parsonage served its last pastor, and in 1984, the last occupant closed the doors for good. The parsonage fell into disrepair, and church members decided to save it. After sitting empty for over 20 years, the Sims Historical Society has rescued the property and turned it into a museum of local and congregational history.

Preservation North Dakota was pleased to use the project as a demonstration project, and after three years of restoration work, the project is now complete. The Sims Historical Society, with Joel and Donna Johnson in the lead, has done a tremendous amount of work in restoring the old parsonage building to its former glory. Paneling and suspended ceilings were ripped out, layers of old wallpaper stripped, crumbling plaster repaired or patched, walls and ceilings re-papered, floors sanded and re-finished or painted, windows re-glazed and painted, foundation repaired, bricks re-mortared or tuck-pointed, and stucco repaired and painted. Thousands of hours of hard labor were dedicated to lovingly restore this beautiful building.

Joel and Donna Johnson not only spent many hours working on the project, but helped organize other volunteers, meals for the volunteers and paid for supplies out of their own pockets. Although, after papering the ceiling in the very first room restored, they vowed never to paper a ceiling again, they persevered until the whole building was completely restored. Their hard work and dedication is evident in everything you will see when you visit Morton County's newest museum.

Accepting the award were Joel and Donna Johnson.

Former Bentley Award for the "Volunteer of the Year" recipients include: Janinne Paulson - Stanley, Deborah Frederickson - Fargo, Cory R. Lien - Walhalla, Rebecca R. Heise - Valley City, Wanda R. Melchert - Manfred, and Dale R. Bentley - Buffalo.

- Board Award for "PND Board Member of the Year" -

Fargo, ND - The Board Award for "PND Board Member of the Year" is presented to an individual for extraordinary dedication to the work of the organization in promoting historic preservation in North Dakota. It was created to recognize the efforts of PND board members, while keeping the annual Honor Awards available for the general public. The award recognizes the volunteer efforts of an individual who has demonstrated a passion and dedication to historic preservation in North Dakota.

The Preservation North Dakota 2007 Board Award was presented to Donovan Larson of Fargo, ND; a dedicated preservationist. His enthusiasm, commitment, effort, and passion are evident in the time and energy he has displayed in shaping the future of Preservation North Dakota.

Larson is with ICON Architectural Group as a designer and project manager. Originally from Grand Forks, Donovan hasgained experience in Architecture and several trades of construction with companies in Fargo and Grand Forks. Working for himself and/or other firms he has been involved with planning, development, design, construction, and project management for the past 17 years.

Larson received a B.A. in Architecture from North Dakota State University, attended Yestermorrow Design Build School in Warren, Vermont and recently completed Preservation Leadership Training through the National Trust for Historic Preservation. He is an associate member of the American Institute of Architects and a Governors Trustee for the State Historical Society of North Dakota. He received a 1997 - AIA, ND Special Recognition Award for "Re-Imaging Downtown Greater Grand Forks, ND."

Larson has been volunteering with Preservation North Dakota for several years. In that time he has provided a variety of technical assistance, structural assessments and site visits that have served as a catalyst for preservation efforts in our rural communities. Larson has attended Preservation Leadership Training (a week long in-depth training sponsored by the National Trust), with the aid of a scholarship from the State Historical Society of North Dakota. He has served actively on the Hutmacher Committee, and has made significant contributions to the projects of PND by loaning the use of his construction trailer (loaded with tools and supplies) to the Hutmacher project.

Larson has also worked on the Coghlan Castle and the Leeds Bank rural preservation project that PND has provided assistance on. He recently attended the NTHP Conference in St. Paul representing PND. His time commitments and training will help PND grow in the future.

Larson was unable to attend the ceremony this evening, as his other passion in life, coaching hockey must be attended to as well. But he sent this message to share, "I love being a part of Preservation North Dakota and will do everything I can to see that it continues its mission well into the future."

Former Board Award recipients include: Susan Sigurdson - Moorhead, MN & Mountain, ND, Rebecca R. Heise - Valley City, and Janinne Paulson - Stanley.

Preservation North Dakota -- "Preserving Prairie Places"™

Preservation North Dakota is a statewide, non-profit, historic preservation organization dedicated to helping local communities preserve their historic resources as catalysts for community revitalization, education and pride. The mission of Preservation North Dakota is to encourage the preservation of cultural resources in the state, establish a network of individuals committed to preservation, assist in the development of local preservation projects, advocate in support of preservation policies, and promote historic preservation, cultural education and tourism.

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For further information about this press release contact Dale Bentley, Executive Director at 701-633-2763, 701-361-0438 (cell).

Specific project photos and photos of the ceremony are available via email. Email bentley@prairieplaces.org with your request.