Sherburne County Heritage Center Interpretive Plan Final Report 2005

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Contemporary visitor relevance 1. In the SCHS Member Survey, 4.2 percent of respondents wanted to learn about the county's transportation history. 2. Write-in comments indicated that history of transportation should be a significant part of SCHS, and specifically mentioned Hwy. 10 and truck and automobile traffic. 3. The history of transportation was mentioned as an important subject by 7 people in the Intercept Study, a relatively high occurrence when compared to other responses in this open format survey. 4. Visitors will be interested in placing Vic's Station within their own experience of automobile travel. An exhibit on a gas station helps people understand that history can be part of their own contemporary experience, not just something that happened 150 years ago. Desired Learner Outcomes: (feeling, knowledge, skills) l . Some visitors will be able to describe the history of Bailey's Station as an example of the history of Hwy 10, from ox carts to automobiles. (cognitive) 2. Some visitors will recall that Vic's was typical of the period in using a roadside attraction to increase his business. (cognitive) 3. Some visitors will recall that the architecture of Vic's was a typical Cottage Revival design of the 1920s, intended to make motorists feel comfortable and at home. (cognitive) Visitor Experience The Bailey Station will be located along the parking lot near the currently titled "demonstration area." It is a perfect thematic counterpoint to the Red River Ox Cart diagonally across the parking lot from it. Both represent different ends of the transportation spectrum that typifies Hwy 10 and Sherburne County as a transportation corridor. If an appropriate historic gasoline pump can be located, it should be placed in front of the station. This would enhance the exhibit by emphasizing its original purpose and pushing the building beyond its architectural significance. Like the ox cart exhibit, the gas station should be free of exhibit panels or other clutter in the front to allow for unencumbered photographs. The building's primary purpose should be to serve as a refreshment "filling station" for people using the special event/picnic and activity area. The interior should remain functional for storage of game equipment and preparation, of food for special events or picnics, similar to how a sports field refreshment stand is used. Care should be taken to avoid changes to the exterior, so service flaps should not be cut into the building, but existing side or rear window openings [not sure if there are rear openings] could be adapted for service. As visitors approach the Bailey Station one panel will be off to the left and a second will be off to the right of the building. Consider reconstructing the Johnny Bear concrete blockhouse, sign, and perch, using recently acquired photographic documentation. This could help make that historical element more "concrete" for visitors. The interior of the structure could be used for additional storage space. Sherburne County Historical Society Heritage Center Interpretive Plan, April 21, 2005, page 17