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History shows importance of saving building
Published 10:29am Monday, May 7, 2012I typed most of the following information about 8 years ago and I felt I should submit this to the “Letter to the Editor” since that was my original plan. While working at the RTC I found framed articles from full pages of the Fergus Falls Weekly Journal sitting against a wall next to a broken window with snow starting to accumulate on them. I brushed them off and hung them on a wall. They were on display at the RTC. I had copied some of the State Hospital story I had read in them and also went to the Journal to see if they had a copy of this paper and they did not! The following 4 paragraphs are from that paper…
Tags: Regional Treatment Center
Dear Fergus Falls Residents and Honorable Leaders,
I lived in the area for 30 years and when I did I wanted to see the Kaddatz building restored – proudly, folks have done a fine job on this endeavor! What a terrific location and how proud I am for Fergus Falls to have kept the building. Recently, after taking a tour of the Kirkbride, meeting the passionate leaders who provide their time and energy for the tours and the generosity of Fergus Falls Coaches along with “Friends of the Kirkbride” I’m compelled to “thank and encourage” all of those involved in trying to improve the historical value of this space for Fergus Falls.
I understand the magnitude of saving the entire structure may not be possible. I can empathize with leaders on the task of trying to restore 7-blocks of dilapidated buildings. To do that in a positive way “historically” would be to revive an entire city and it would carry an astronomical price tag.
However, for the sake of the historical value of the Tower Building, I urge city leaders to preserve the Tower building. In addition, please take urgent action to use some of the funds available and “turn on” the heating and cooling in ONLY the tower building so this structure can be fully restored.
Consider utilization of the Tower building to provide a tourist destination point with interesting museum pieces for Fergus Falls and Central Minnesota. There are not enough educational sites in this region and not that many related to the Mental Health history – Fergus Falls can create a Minnesota Asylum History Center right in the incredibly valuable and significant Tower building!
In the meantime, I urge Fergus Falls residents and friends of the Kirkbride to expand their preservation efforts and assist The Prospect House and Civil War Museum located in Battle Lake. Together, with all of the energy, positive action and stamina — Central Minnesota can have more history sites that create interest, learning opportunities and appreciation for OTC on a national level.
Dear Fergus Falls Residents and Honorable Leaders,
I lived in the area for 30 years and when I did I wanted to see the Kaddatz building restored – proudly, folks have done a fine job on this endeavor! What a terrific location and how proud I am for Fergus Falls to have kept the building. Recently, after taking a tour of the Kirkbride, meeting the passionate leaders who provide their time and energy for the tours and the generosity of Fergus Falls Coaches along with “Friends of the Kirkbride” I’m compelled to “thank and encourage” all of those involved in trying to improve the historical value of this space for Fergus Falls.
I understand the magnitude of saving the entire structure may not be possible. I can empathize with leaders on the task of trying to restore 7-blocks of dilapidated buildings. To do that in a positive way “historically” would be to revive an entire city and it would carry an astronomical price tag.
However, for the sake of the historical value of the Tower Building, I urge city leaders to preserve the Tower building. In addition, please take urgent action to use some of the funds available and “turn on” the heating and cooling in ONLY the tower building so this structure can be fully restored.
Consider utilization of the Tower building to provide a tourist destination point with interesting museum pieces for Fergus Falls and Central Minnesota. There are not enough educational sites in this region and not that many related to the Mental Health history – Fergus Falls can create a Minnesota Asylum History Center right in the incredibly valuable and significant Tower building!
In the meantime, I urge Fergus Falls residents and friends of the Kirkbride to expand their preservation efforts and assist The Prospect House and Civil War Museum located in Battle Lake. Together, with all of the energy, positive action and stamina — Central Minnesota can have more history sites that create interest, learning opportunities and appreciation for Otter tail County on a national level.