8.2. Handout July 23, 2024 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Nnwfa�4 1�7i� MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY July 22, 2024 Zack Carlton Community Development Director City of Elk River 13065 Orono Parkway NW Elk River, MN 55330 Dear Zack, Ju� 2'31 MY Thank you for reaching out to the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) regarding the development plan for the Specht property adjacent to the Oliver H Kelley Farm in Elk River. We appreciate the opportunity to review preliminary concepts and provide feedback to ensure that the proposed development protects the Oliver H Kelley Farm, a historic site that holds statewide and national significance, while benefiting the future of the Elk River community. The Oliver H Kelley Farm is a significant part of the historical landscape of Minnesota and the surrounding community. Operated by the Minnesota Historical Society, this site has held stories, memories, and meanings for many different groups of people across its history. The site is part of the statutorily -defined Historic Sites Network, outlined in Minnesota Statutes, Section 138.662, Subdivision 27. Its designation as a National Historic Landmark, the highest designation by the US Department of the Interior, in 1964, has enabled us to preserve and present these stories to audiences who seek deep and authentic engagement with the past. As a result of this mission -driven work, we are proud to share that the farm today holds wide appeal for school children, agricultural organizations, history enthusiasts, and family audiences alike. Part of this appeal arises from our ability to recreate and reanimate, at scale, the 1860s home farmstead of Oliver Hudson Kelley and his family. Our visitors come to the site with the expectation that they can step back in time and experience a mid -nineteenth century farm at its peak. A housing development within view will no doubt impact this experience, which is why we are eager to work together to explore ways to mitigate this impact. One of the major concerns our site has in regards to a housing development on the adjacent property is viewshed or what the visual impact would be on the visitor experience at the site. Our visitors come to the site with an expectation that they can step back in time to see a farm operating in the 1860's. Having a housing development within view could have a significant impact. We do believe that there are ways to mitigate this impact through design of the site and we look forward to conversations about how this may be accomplished.