Sherburne County Heritage Center Interpretive Plan Final Report 2005

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smaller). The ox should be connected to the cart in an appropriate manner, inside the shafts, with a collar, back pad, and rump holdback strap as illustrated in Gilman's Red River Trails. Leather (or rope, but this would not be accurate) reins should go from the cart and tied to the ears of the animal for control. The cart should be permanently affixed so it cannot move. Sideboards should be at least half way up the stake sides for safety. This was not uncommon to keep loads from falling out. In the rear of the cart, provide steps, so people can enter the cart. It is critical that this be done accurately, or it will become a "kitschy" element. Done properly, this exhibit will add a tasteful and popular iconic experience to the site, and as a kind of outdoors statuary, will help define the place, distinguish it from other heritage centers and "put it on the map." (See Karal Ann Marling's study of Minnesota outdoors statuary, Collosus of the Roads: Myth and Symbol Along the American Highway) The exhibit will also be a great location for school programs based on Red River cart history Front of the Cart Panel 1—Orientation to SCHS and Grounds (24 x 36) At this first contact panel, visitors will learn about the purpose of the SCHS and the layout of the grounds. The panel will contain a large format map of the grounds, indicating the location of interpretive features, restrooms, etc. It should also have two or three sentences introducing the main theme of the Heritage Center --Sherburne County on the Edge --and suggesting that people look for evidence of this idea in all Heritage Center exhibits. The panel should suggest that visitors view the exhibit inside first, which would provide some context for the trails, then take the trail to see the other interpretive features. An all-weather Plexiglas brochure holder attached to the panel post will provide a brochure map of the grounds with Heritage Center open hours and a SCHS membership application. Rear of the Cart Panel 2-Red River Ox Cart Trail (36 x 48) To the rear of the cart between the canopy supports, provide a 36 x 48 inch outdoor panel at ca. 30 inches high and 45-degree angle. On the left side of the panel, visitors will read a brief description of the Red River Trails. They will see a photo that shows a line of carts on the trail (see photo in Gilman, p. 34), and a map that shows their route from Pembina or Winnipeg to St. Paul, and a much more detailed, magnified inset map that shows the trail route through Sherburne County and describes how far it passed from the place they are standing. The right side of the panel should be interactive. A short description of life on the trails will occupy the top half of the panel along with a close-up photo of cart and driver (see photo in Gilman, p. 27). The bottom half of the panel should have two hinged lids built into the panel. The top of the lid should contain a photograph and question that will invite visitors to use photographs as sources of information. The correct answer will be provided under the lid. One example using MHS photo from 1860, Location HE2.2 r 17; Neg. 396, which depicts carts in St. Paul loaded with furs. Looking at this photo, what do you think the main trade item was that the Red River Ox Cart drivers brought to St. Paul to exchange for supplies? Answer: Furs A second example uses a photo from MHS, which depicts carts and family members in camp in 1858; Location HE 2.1 p 27; Negative 404. Whole families sometimes took the difficult Sherburne County Historical Society Heritage Center Interpretive Plan, April 21, 2005, page 13