RESOURCES: Cook County Historical Society (CCHS) received $700,000 in appropriations from the State of Minnesota in September of 2023. These funds are intended to be used on the restoration, repair, and enhancement of our five historic properties as well as on a new archival collections storage facility. CCHS appreciates the legislative support as well as the continued support from Cook County, our members, the community, and our partner organizations of the Historical Alliance of Cook County. Preserving the heritage of this area provides cultural, sustainable, and economic benefits to the community and future generations. 

PROJECTS: CCHS has a goal of adding to the life and utilization of all of our sites. To date, current and scheduled projects focus on improved accessibility and safety, upgraded electrical and heating, preservation, and replacement of outdated components. We are also pursuing a needs assessment and analysis of long-term solutions for secure, climate-controlled storage of our collections. In addition, we commissioned a historic structure analysis of the Chippewa City Church from MacDonald & Mack Architects which will be completed in the spring of 2024 and enable CCHS to more closely define both the direction and the extensive scope of the restoration.

FOCUS: Our focus is on the restoration and preservation of the Chippewa City Church. We are building partnerships to assist with research and interpretation of the Church and surrounding area as a site of public learning, contemplation, and enjoyment. We are pursuing grants from federal government sources and private foundations to help us complete this work in the coming years.

VALUE: CCHS is committed to promoting the recognition of the historical, cultural, and emotional significance of the Chippewa City area and the critical role played by the individuals and families who were born, lived, and died there. We would like to further expand on the restoration of the Chippewa City Church by creating rich programming that celebrates the culture of Native Americans in Cook County and communicates solidarity with their experienced injustices. Chippewa City was home to many Anishinaabe families and CCHS applauds the transfer of the beach area property near the Church from the Minnesota Department of Transportation to the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa in 2022.

FUTURE: As we work to finalize the scope, logistics, and additional funding for the Chippewa City Church and our Archival Storage needs, CCHS has projected that future support will be necessary in order to accomplish our preservation and outreach needs in Cook County.

Last updated: March 2024