Historic Preservation in North Dakota II: A Statewide Comprehensive Plan, 2003

From the Introduction: "As the state agency most particularly charged with the responsibility of preserving the state's history, the State Historical Society of North Dakota (SHSND) has, since 1895, been collecting information, documents, artifacts, and, more recently, sites that help illustrate, interpret and explain the history and the heritage of the diverse cultures that comprise modern North Dakota. During these 108 years, the operations, functions, and goals of the SHSND have evolved to reflect changing tenets adopted by both the preservation community and the public at large about the importance as well as the methods of preserving history. In the progression of moving beyond the collection of just documents and artifacts as ways of illustrating history, one of the more profound changes occurred when people began to understand that the continued availability of actual places where historical events happened could not only help illustrate and explain history, but could forge physical and emotional links between the past and the present. The change in perception led to acceptance of site acquisition as a mechanism for preserving links within the state's past. Another profound change occurred in 1966 when the state resolved to expand and intensify its recognition of the importance of preserving places of historical value by adopting the provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act and began participating in the National Historic Preservation Program. This program encouraged recognition and preservation of a much broader range of culturally important properties than those acknowledged before, broadened the perception of historical significance and provided new sources of information, expertise and funding to implement these broader perceptions. During the SHSND's 108 years of preserving history and after 37 years of specific effort concentrated on identifying, recording, evaluating and preserving major physical manifestations for the state's heritage, it has proven useful to periodically reflect on what has been done in the past and to determine appropriate directions for the future. This is one of those times. As part of this reflection, long range planning efforts both for the State Historical Society of North Dakota as an integrated entity and for the Historic Preservation Division have been undertaken. Another reason for preparing and presenting this plan, at this time, is that the National Park Service requires each of its partners in historic preservation to periodically undertake a review of its efforts, its needs and appropriate directions for the future. Now is also one of those times. Therefore, this plan was revised at this time as part of North Dakota's commitment to its continuing participation in the National Historic Preservation Program... While fulfilling one of the requirements for North Dakota's continued participation in the program, the plan summarizes, in one document, accomplishments and intentions of the historic preservation program in North Dakota. This summary provides focus for a preservation program which can be used to benefit the people of North Dakota. It should be noted, however, that this plan is not intended to be a specific blueprint for the future - a function more appropriate to the annual planning process - but rather is intended as a guide for recognizing and meeting the challenges and opportunities presented by the future. The preservation program will continue to undergo modifications as research continues to identify additional historic properties and as conditions and perceptions about the state's history, its historic properties and about the program itself continue to evolve." Project funding was provided in part by a Historic Preservation Fund grant to the State Historical Society of North Dakota administered by the State, Tribal, Local Plans and Grants division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Historic Preservation in North Dakota II: A Statewide Comprehensive Plan, 2003

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