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RESOLUTION 03-22 <br /> <br /> A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ELK RIVER <br /> <br />A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR OLIVER KELLY FARM <br /> <br />WHEREAS, <br /> <br />The Oliver Kelly Farm has such historic significance that it was designated a National <br />Historic Landmark by the US Department of Interior's National Register of Historic <br />Places, and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, <br /> <br />On average, more than 14,000 school age children annually visit the Oliver Kelly Farm <br />to learn through inter-action with staff and livestock how farming was conducted in <br />1850, and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, <br /> <br />On average, an additional 13,000 adults visit the Kelly Farm annually, contributing to <br />the local economy and enhancing Elk River's reputation as a destination, and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, <br /> <br />The National Grange has maintained an ongoing relationship with the Minnesota <br />Historical Society for 40 years regarding the Kelly Farm, a relationship that has inspired <br />national and international visitors to come to the Farm to learn about Oliver Kelly and <br />his family, the start-up of the national Grange Movement, and the origins of agriculture <br />in Minnesota, and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, <br /> <br />In the interests of authenticity, the Oliver Kelly Farm has incorporated a unique historic <br />livestock breeding and crop and garden seeds program that will be severely damaged <br />once the site ceases to operate as a living history farm, and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, <br /> <br />The Oliver Kelly Farm is one of the oldest continually operating family farms in <br />Minnesota, and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, <br /> <br />Elk River and surrounding communities, ISD #728, local school children, and local <br />members of the Minnesota Historical Society, will lose access to a locally and nationally <br />significant community resource, should the Minnesota Historical Society close - even <br />on a temporary basis - the Oliver Kelly Farm. <br /> <br />NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Elk River Mayor and Council strongly encourage the <br />Minnesota Historical Society and the Minnesota Legislature to aggressively search for ways to continue to <br />fund the operations of the Oliver Kelly Farm Historic site, past the anticipated closing date of July 1, 2003. <br /> <br />Passed and adopted this 24th day of March 2003. <br /> <br />ATTEST: <br /> <br />Stephanie Kdinzing, Mayor <br /> <br />Sandra A. Peine, City Clerk <br /> <br />S:LADMIN~ResolutionsX2003 Resolutions~kpproved\03-22 RES.doc <br /> <br /> <br />