The Fergus Falls Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) has announced the recipients of their 2023 Historic Preservation Awards. Honorees include the Friends of Finn Creek Open Air Museum in New York Mills, a volunteer organization which received the Historic Preservation Committee Historic Preservation Recognition Award from the National Society DAR. 

The award honors their efforts to preserve and interpret the pioneer heritage of the Finnish Americans who settled in West Central Minnesota. Members of the local DAR, including chapter Regent Carol Windels, will present the award during the Finn Creek Festival on August 19.

As dedicated volunteers, the Friends of Finn Creek work to protect and interpret the buildings and grounds of a Finnish American farm family. They educate the public about the Finnish heritage of Minnesota and the importance of historic preservation in rural Minnesota. It is largely due to their efforts that many of the iconic Finnish structures such as dry and wet saunas and the “vintti kaivo” well have been preserved. The museum site brings in visitors locally and from some distance to experience the history, culture and language of this pioneering ethnic group.

The Friends of Finn Creek has a history that goes back to the 1970s when Darrel Nicholson first took the initiative to promote saving the historic Finnish log buildings and structures. His vision of an open air museum demonstrating the unique Finnish American methods of construction stands today. This group has worked long and hard to maintain and protect the buildings and to help as interpreters during festivals. Their knowledge of Finnish American heritage, history and language, and willingness to work on maintenance projects completely on a volunteer basis is a significant contribution to the museum and the county.

In addition to this national recognition, the Fergus Falls Chapter DAR has presented Excellence in Historic Preservation awards to the Douglas County Historical Society for work on the restoration of the Kinkead Cemetery and to Merilyn Mau of Elbow Lake, a volunteer at the Grant County Historical Society, for her work to preserve the history of Fort Pomme de Terre.

The DAR is a service organization with members who can trace their lineage back to a patriot of the American Revolutionary War. The three pillars of their mission are Patriotism, Education and Historic Preservation. 

For more information about the Fergus Falls DAR check our website, www.fergusfalls.minnesotadar.org.