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Prospect House is a state and county gem [UPDATED]
Published 9:45am Thursday, May 17, 2012 Updated 11:47am Thursday, May 17, 2012I recently returned to visit Central Minnesota where I grew up. Much to my surprise, I found a gem in my home state. The Prospect House is a new civil war museum and it’s loaded with Dayton Furnishings that are in pristine condition.
However, the Dayton pieces are only a fraction of the historical stock featured at the residence. The wealth of knowledge that resides in this historical residence and museum is something one rarely observes; especially in rural Minnesota.
I understand that you may not have time to tour the site but, if you could you would be amazed by the condition and scope of the historical value of this residence and the collection.
The Prospect House offers a plethora of local and state history while the Civil War museum contains numerous pieces of National War History related to the Union. All of the pieces connect the importance of Union service in the American Civil War.
This home has the potential to rival homes on display in Greenfield Village (Dearborn, Michigan) and other historical venues across the country. On a smaller scale, The Prospect House and Civil War Museum strengthens the national awareness of the Union soldier on par with smaller civil war displays located at the Smithsonian.
To maintain and promote the location of this State and National treasure the Prospect House and Civil War Museum needs financial support to cultivate and preserve the residence and the diverse collection.
I am requesting that your staff make necessary contacts, on behalf of the Prospect House and Civil War museum to shore up grants and support that could develop this site.
After living in Minnesota for thirty years and being part of historical communities, I believe that this site can be a top tourism destination in Minnesota.
Undoubtedly, with financial support and historical preservation it could be in the top 100-historical residences (related to the civil war) on the national scene.
Please contact the head docent, Mr. Jay Johnson and have your staff begin to develop this exceptional place for all Minnesotans to enjoy.
Your support for the Prospect House and Civil War Museum could bring the needed help to tackle the enormous amount of work in detailing the collection and could ensure the preservation of this incredible historical marker.
With your help, this can be a Minnesota historical destination that only expands in quality and exposure for many years to come.
Mara MacKay
Kalamazoo, Mich.
Thank you for this letter, Mara. The Prospect House and Civil War Museum in Battle Lake is truly amazing and unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. The historical value of the museum and indeed the house itself are pricless. I encourage everyone who has a chance to take a day and visit Battle Lake and this spectacular specimen of historical importance. You won’t be disappointed.
Hi Sharon, You are VERY welcome. I sent this letter to Governor Mark Dayton (I had hoped that the Daily Journal would have indicated that but, maybe there was not enough space). I look forward to returning to the Prospect house with my children so that they can take the tour too. What a wonderful gem this residence and museum is for everyone in Ottertail County!
To make it clear, this letter was written to Gov. Dayton.