|
Home News Forms Membership Conference Prairie Churches™ Prairie Places™ Most Endangered Success Stories Honor Awards Local Affiliates Merchandise Database Newsletters
Member Login |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
The Success Story Award draws public attention to irreplaceable historic, architectural, cultural and/or archaeological resources in North Dakota that have been successfully preserved through restoration, rehabilitation or renovation. Each year, one project is named Success Story of the Year and is announced at the annual North Dakota Historic Preservation Conference. To qualify, a site must be a resource having historical, architectural, or cultural significance, and work must have been completed within the last five years. Evaluation criteria gives preference to projects in the region of the conference each year. Nominations may be submitted online. 2010 Success Story: John Stern Homestead Mott, ND On September 19, 2008, the John Stern Homestead was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places. The homestead tells the story of immigrant determination and work ethic of the Germans from Russia as they settled in a strange country looking for a better life. John Stern was born May 2, 1882 in Bessarabia, Russia and came to America in March 1902. He took advantage of the Homestead Act and filed a 320 acre land claim in 1905. The acreage, two miles east of Mott, was blessed with an artesian spring that still flows as of 2009. The homestead was completed in 1907. The house-barn combination, which provided family living quarters, storage, and animal shelter all under a single roof, was common in the old country, but is fast disappearing from the northern plains. The architecture of the Stern Homestead stemmed from the immigrants' prior experience over a century of living on the Russian Steppe. The traditional home design put the farm animals and feed close to the family living area, providing a convenience, a source of heat and minimal contact with the fierce winter winds. Sandstone rocks that were a bane for many prairie farmers proved to be valuable building material and the investment of back-breaking skill in erecting them has stood the test of time for the Stern family home. Many of these noble structures have been removed or deteriorated over the century, but the Stern home stands in remarkably good condition. The Mott Gallery of History & Art worked for two years to present the Stern Homestead story for recommendation to the National Register of Historic Places. The gallery hosts a wall display about the history of this typical immigrant farm family and also has the complete National Register nomination available for public viewing. In cooperation with the Stern descendants, the Mott Gallery of History & Art is committed to preserving, interpreting, and promoting the Stern Homestead as a valuable heritage resource. The gallery has assumed the fundraising role to ensure continued preservation, including two opportunities to tour the homestead this summer. Photo courtesy Geno Sloan, Mott Gallery of History & Art
|
All content and images on this web site © 2002-2010 Preservation North Dakota
