To the editor:

The history of New Ulm and the Minnesota River Valley is critical to Minnesota’s history. At the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS), our mission is to serve all people of Minnesota by creating meaningful engagement with history. In support of this mission, we are making significant investments to continue to preserve and share the history of New Ulm and the history of the region.

MNHS is actively working on new interpretive panels to be installed at Fort Ridgely. The grounds are open daily from dawn until dusk, and visitors are encouraged to take a self-guilded tour of the stone foundations of the eight buildings. Walking this same path as the soldiers who stayed at the fort more than 150 years ago is an impactful way to engage with history. The new outdoor interpretive signage is scheduled to be installed in the next year and will tell the site’s history for visitors year-round.

MNHS installed new interpretive signs at the Harkin Store in 2023, where a major historic preservation project is now underway. This project includes replacing the roof on the house and store and repairing the foundation, windows, the front porch, and the hillside stairs as well as repainting exterior wood siding. This preservation work is funded by the state of Minnesota and will preserve the building for years to come.

I enthusiastically share these projects as opportunities for the community to engage with their local history. These projects also stand as clear evidence contrary to the May 16 letter to the editor that stated New Ulm and Minnesota River Valley history is being lost at these historic sites. History is not being lost; it is being actively and carefully preserved for the benefit of all Minnesotans.

Ben Leonard

New Ulm

— Ben Leonard is senior director of the Historic Sites and Operations at the Minnesota Historical Society