Historic Fort Snelling Legislative Updates

UPDATE (May 28, 2022): After more than two years of rehabilitation and improvements, MNHS is excited to reintroduce the public to Minnesota’s first National Historic Landmark - Historic Fort Snelling.

Here on Dakota homeland known as Bdote, come learn, share and connect to all of the complex stories of those who crossed paths here and shaped history in Minnesota – from the Dakota, Ojibwe, and enslaved people, to fur traders, immigrants, soldiers and veterans.

The revitalization project includes the removal of a failing 1980s underground visitor center and creation of the dynamic new Plank Museum & Visitor Center inside a rehabilitated 1904 cavalry barracks. The new center welcomes visitors with exhibit spaces and galleries, meeting rooms and classrooms, plus accessible restrooms, a museum store, and grab-and-go food and beverage. It will be open to the public year-round.

Visitors will also experience expanded outdoor learning opportunities in the revitalized landscape with stunning river overlooks, paved and unpaved pathways, native plantings, enhanced interpretive spaces and places to reflect as well as a picnic area, improved accessibility, and parking.

As part of the project, MNHS worked with community partners to design a new interpretive plan for the site that brings more depth to the cultural understanding and features more histories of the many people who have been part of its remarkable history, including Dakota, Ojibwe and other Native Americans, African Americans, Japanese Americans, women, soldiers, veterans, and more.

The reopening of Historic Fort Snelling represents the culmination of $34.5 million in improvements, $19.5 provided by State of Minnesota appropriations and $15 million in private funding. MNHS could not have accomplished this significant feat without this substantial support from the state appropriations made by the Minnesota Legislature and approved by the Governor, as well as the invaluable private support we received from many donors, including Raymond D. Plank, Ruth and John Huss, Eugene C. and Gail V. Sit Foundation and Sit Investment Associates Foundation.

UPDATE (June 12, 2020): In mid-June, construction will begin on the Historic Fort Snelling revitalization project.

Throughout the summer months construction will focus on exterior site work and hazardous material abatement. This includes demolition of the existing, non-historic visitor center, utility work, and grading for walking paths and parking areas. This fall, interior work is expected to begin in building 18, which will house the new visitor center and exhibit gallery.

The $34.5 million project includes $19.5 million appropriated by the state, plus $15 million pledged in private dollars. MNHS is grateful for the continued support from the governor and legislature, educators, veterans, community partners, MNHS members and private citizens statewide.

UPDATE (August 21, 2019): Construction of the Historic Fort Snelling revitalization project is set to get underway in early 2020.

The site will remain open during construction with work expected to be completed in 2022.

As part of the revitalization of the site, MNHS is looking at whether the current name adequately reflects the expanded stories being shared there. Last August, a statewide effort began to gather public input on the name of Historic Fort Snelling, the 23-acre historic site operated by MNHS. Find out more about the public input process.

UPDATE (February 5, 2019): During the 2018 legislative session, the Minnesota Historical Society received $15 of the $30 million requested for the Historic Fort Snelling revitalization project and is grateful for the continued support from the governor and legislature, educators, veterans, community partners, MNHS members and private citizens statewide.

MNHS is proceeding with a revised project and revised budget that allows construction for the Historic Fort Snelling revitalization project to start in Fall 2019. After consulting with project and community partners MNHS decided that it is fiscally responsible to use the money in hand to deliver a quality project, though scaled-back. This allows MNHS to start construction this fall and avoid the risk of additional construction costs due to further delays.

The revised project incorporates the $19.5 million appropriated by the state so far, plus $15 million pledged in private dollars. The new budget is $34.5 million. Originally, MNHS had planned to spend $46.5 million on the full revitalization plan.

UPDATE (May 30, 2018): Governor Dayton signed the bonding bill today, which includes $15 million for the revitalization of Historic Fort Snelling and $8 million for statewide historic sites asset preservation. MNHS thanks Governor Dayton and the legislature for this critical funding, and is grateful for the broad support received from Minnesotans.

The amount appropriated for Historic Fort Snelling this year is half of what is required for the full revitalization. MNHS will continue to advocate for the remaining $15 million needed. The revitalization plan includes the rehabilitation of a historic cavalry barracks and an ordnance building to create a new visitor center and orientation area; the removal of the current visitor center; landscaping and wayfinding; and new exhibits and programs developed in partnership with community partners.

UPDATE (May 22, 2018): The Minnesota Legislature passed the capital budget bill yesterday, which includes $15 million for the revitalization of Historic Fort Snelling and $8 million for statewide historic sites asset preservation. The governor—who recommended $30 million for Historic Fort Snelling—has not yet signed the bill.

MNHS thanks the governor and legislators, educators, veterans, community partners, MNHS members and thousands of private citizens statewide for their continued support of the Historic Fort Snelling revitalization project.

The amount appropriated for Historic Fort Snelling this year is half of the $30 million needed from the state for the full revitalization. The next step is to revise the schedule for this complex project after consulting with project managers, architects, contractors and community partners.

Our goal is to complete the $46.5 million project in its entirety, which calls for additional state funding. Once fully funded, the revitalization plan will include the rehabilitation of a historic cavalry barracks and an ordnance building to create a new visitor center and orientation area; the removal of the current visitor center; landscaping and wayfinding; and new exhibits and programs developed in partnership with community partners.

UPDATE (May 7, 2018): TAKE ACTION! Urge legislators to include Historic Fort Snelling in the final bonding bill at full funding of $30 million.

UPDATE (April 4, 2018): Public support for the revitalization project is gaining momentum. Check out these recent Historic Fort Snelling articles.

UPDATE (Jan. 19, 2018): Today Governor Dayton included our request for Historic Fort Snelling in his 2018 budget proposal. MNHS is requesting $30 million in the 2018 session to complete construction in time for the fort’s bicentennial in 2020.

UPDATE (Sept. 4, 2017): The state of Minnesota provided $4 million for design work at Historic Fort Snelling in the 2017 Legislative Session. MNHS is advocating for the remaining $30 million for construction in 2018. Send a note to thank your state leaders for funding the design work and ask that they support construction funding in the 2018 session.

UPDATE (August 7, 2017): The Historic Fort Snelling project is featured at the MNHS booth in the Education Building at the Minnesota State Fair (August 24 through September 4). Stop by to learn more about the project, grab a button, and ask your state leaders to support funding.

UPDATE (May 26, 2017): Thank state leaders for funding for Historic Fort Snelling. The legislature included $4 million for the revitalization of Historic Fort Snelling in the capital investment budget passed May 26th. This money will fund design work, the next step toward construction. MNHS will advocate for the remaining $30 million in the 2018 legislative session.

UPDATE (May 4, 2017): The 2017 Legislative session is winding down and we need your help now more than ever. Please urge your state legislators to support funding for Historic Fort Snelling, Minnesota’s first National Historic Landmark, and thank Governor Dayton for his support! Now is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to connect the fort and its stories in meaningful ways with an increasingly diverse Minnesota and America.

UPDATE (March 30, 2017): In order to stay on track for a revitalized Historic Fort Snelling in time for its 2020 bicentennial, MNHS will begin schematic design work this summer. Governor Dayton has included the $34 million request in his capital budget recommendations. MNHS will advocate for its inclusion in a 2017 bonding bill. Please take a moment to urge your legislators to support the Fort Snelling Revitalization project. Read the news release.

UPDATE (Jan. 4, 2017): Governor Dayton included the Historic Fort Snelling revitalization project in his 2017 Capital Investment recommendations to the Legislature. This is great news for this important project. The Legislature will now consider Capital Investment requests in the regular 2017 Session. Please take a moment to thank Governor Dayton for his continued support and urge your legislators to support the Fort Snelling Revitalization project.

UPDATE (Sept. 15, 2016): The funding request for a revitalized Historic Fort Snelling remains undecided. We are hopeful that the legislature will take up the request in the 2017 session and we will continue to advocate for its support. You can help. Let your legislators and Governor Dayton know that Historic Fort Snelling matters.

UPDATE (Aug. 19, 2016): Governor Dayton announced that he will not be calling a special session this year. That means our funding request for a revitalized Historic Fort Snelling remains undecided. We are hopeful that the legislature will take up the request in the 2017 session and we will continue to advocate for its support. You can help. Let your legislators and Governor Dayton know that Historic Fort Snelling matters.

UPDATE (July 15, 2016): Minnesota legislative leaders and Governor Dayton met today to discuss plans for a possible special session that could be held as early as mid-August. While no firm decisions were made, leaders seemed more optimistic that they could reach an agreement on issues that were not completed during the regular session. MNHS will continue to advocate for funding for the Historic Fort Snelling Visitor Center / Revitalization project. Fort Snelling advocates are urged to continue communications with legislators and Governor Dayton in support of the Historic Fort Snelling project.

UPDATE (June 14, 2016): Today, Steve Elliott, Director and CEO of the Minnesota Historical Society, spoke in front of the Minnesota House and Senate Capital Investment Conference Committee about Historic Fort Snelling. His testimony included a request for this project to be included in a Special Session Capital Budget Bill. Read the testimony.

UPDATE (June 1, 2016): Today, Governor Dayton released a list of his priorities for a special session, which included the Historic Fort Snelling project for a possible bonding bill. Please take a moment to thank Governor Dayton and urge legislators to include the Historic Fort Snelling project in the bonding bill.

UPDATE (May 27, 2016): We are hopeful that the Minnesota Legislature will convene a special session to pass a bonding bill and fully fund the revitalization of Historic Fort Snelling. Please let the Governor and your legislators know that this project is important to the people of Minnesota.

UPDATE (May 23, 2016): The Minnesota Legislature adjourned from regular session on Sunday, May 22 without passing a capital budget bill. That means the funding request of $34 million for the revitalization of Historic Fort Snelling remains undecided. It’s not too late to advocate for Historic Fort Snelling. Please continue to let your legislators and the Governor know that History Matters.