North Dakota Communities Awarded Grants for 250th Anniversary Projects

Communities in northeastern North Dakota are set to receive funding for various projects celebrating the United States’ upcoming 250th anniversary. The ND250 Commission has allocated a total of $94,355 to 15 communities statewide, with reimbursements available for project expenses up to the approved grant amounts. This funding aims to honor and commemorate the significance of the nation’s Declaration of Independence.

As noted by Melissa Klocke-Joyce, ND250 coordinator with the State Historical Society of North Dakota, the funded initiatives will showcase the diversity and richness of local storytelling. Projects will involve art, education, performances, oral histories, and public programming, all designed to reflect North Dakota’s integral role in the American narrative.

Details of the Grants and Projects

The Community Initiatives Grant Program, which is part of this funding effort, encourages local organizations and governments to create engaging projects that highlight North Dakota’s historical contributions. Applications for additional funding will remain open until April 1, 2024, with guidelines available at www.ND250.com. This represents the final round of funding in this initiative.

One notable recipient is the Pembina Gorge Foundation, awarded $10,000 for its outreach program, “Frost Fire Invasion.” This initiative involves a group of five musicians performing patriotic songs in assisted living and care centers across the state at no cost to those facilities. The program is set to run from June to July and has also received a $5,000 grant from the Myra Foundation. The musicians will subsequently perform in the Frost Fire Summer Theater’s production of “Come From Away” in July at Walhalla, North Dakota.

The Frost Fire amphitheater, located five miles west of Walhalla, is currently undergoing significant renovations following damage from heavy snowfall that impacted its roof and walls in April 2023. The outreach concerts, which will feature music reflecting both U.S. and North Dakota history, include interactive discussions designed to foster community engagement at the care centers.

Other Noteworthy Grant Recipients

The ND250 Commission received a total of 42 applications for funding, which were carefully reviewed by a select committee. Additional grant recipients include:

– **City of Maddock**: $6,600 for a field trip to the North Dakota Heritage Center and State Museum, as well as a professional portrayal of Theodore Roosevelt in honor of the city’s 125th anniversary.
– **Fort Pembina Historical Society**: $1,000 for a lecture and workshop series addressing various historical topics.
– **Grand Forks Public Library**: $1,810 to purchase copies of the Declaration of Independence, U.S. flag etiquette booklets, discussion books, and honorariums for guest scholars.
– **Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa**: $9,000 for a public historical exhibit that interprets treaty-making, land negotiations, federal policy changes, and cultural traditions influencing the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa.

Bill Peterson, director of the State Historical Society of North Dakota and chair of the ND250 Commission, emphasized the significance of these grants, stating, “These grants represent more than funding – they’re an investment in how communities across North Dakota share their piece of the American story.”

From murals and musical theater to lectures and living history, these projects are designed to connect residents with their past in meaningful ways, fostering local pride and community spirit. The ND250 Commission, under the administration of the State Historical Society of North Dakota, is poised to lead the state’s commemorative efforts leading up to the anniversary celebrations throughout 2026.

Through a combination of inspiring and inclusive projects and events, the commission aims to celebrate North Dakota’s rich history and diverse population while honoring state heritage and community values.