Phase 2 Capital Campaign begins for Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center

Remember how excited we were five years ago with the opening of the Chik-Wauk Museum? We have so much to be proud of and so much to celebrate! The museum is a top-notch showcase of our natural and cultural history.

We have even more to get excited about this year. We are starting Phase II of the museum project which will give us the facilities to fulfill our goal of sharing and preserving more of the history and heritage of our community.

Our plan is to break ground this spring for our new Chik-Wauk Nature Center,  a modest administration building, and a vaulted biffy. The Chik-Wauk Nature Center will be the hands-on center for learning. We have a team working with Split Rock Design Studios on displays that will set the tone for curiosity and exploration. It will have plenty of seating for presentations as well as tables and workstations to be used for classes.

Proposed building plans at Chik-Wauk

Proposed Chik-Wauk Building Plans

In 2016, we will collaborate with the North House Folk School on building our boat pavilion. This will be a timber frame shelter to protect and display historic watercraft in the Gunflint Trail Historical Society collection with descriptive panels for each boat or canoe. We will also build a cabin that represents a typical rental unit from the 1950s at Chik-Wauk Lodge. Finally, we will put up a metal building for maintenance equipment and larger storage items.

It is an ambitious plan. Our construction budget for this Phase II is $500,000. To date, we have raised about half the needed money. We hope you will chip in to help us raise the remaining money, as your funds and budget allow. You can make a donation online easily through our online payment server . Just use the contributions (restricted) field on the website and put “Phase II” in the designation field.

With your continued support, our excitement for the future of the Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center can become a reality.

Sincerely,

Bruce Kerfoot, Board of Trustees