NTHP Honors Award
Landmark
Center
, with our 1902 pink-granite former courthouse-turned-arts incubator in downtown
St. Paul
, was honored for its role in revitalizing our
Rice
Park
neighbor hood. The center received a National Preservation Honor Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The award was presented at the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s 2007 conference held recently in
St. Paul
.
Landmark
Center
’s 1970s restoration sparked a renaissance in its
Rice
Park
neighborhood. The center's restoration, including renovations of the St. Paul Hotel and St. Paul Central Library triggered "the rebirth of downtown St. Paul," said Richard Moe, the National Trust's president. The award was given to both Minnesota Landmarks and the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners for their joint effort in maintaining the 105 year-old building in the 25 years of their partnership, which continues to this day.
Uncle Sam Moves (Back) in at Landmark Center
June 25, 2007 The building that local journalist and author Larry Millett heralded as “St. Paul’s very own fairlytale castle” welcomes a new resident this summer. The presence of the Federal Government returns to this former federal building on Friday, August 3, marking the grand opening of “Uncle Sam Worked Here,” a permanent, building-wide exhibition that chronicles the storied federal history of Landmark Center. The public is invited to enjoy the exhibition along with light refreshments on Friday, August 3, from 7pm-9pm. There will be guided tours and entertainment.
Federal agencies officially inhabited the building from its opening in 1902 through 1967. Serving as the Federal Courts Building, the St. Paul Post Office, and the Customhouse, the structure lived through numerous incarnations during the 20th century as it provided a home for federal offices. “Uncle Sam Worked Here” utilizes exhibit displays and interactive tools to delve into the history of St. Paul’s simultaneously grand and utilitarian Federal Building. Topics include the federal court system, wartime activities, the New Deal, Prohibition, immigration and citizenship, and the slow decay and subsequent preservation and adaptive reuse of the building. Significant tenants are featured, linking their activities with the overarching cultural, social, political and historical happenings of the times. Colorful and informative stories echo the world at large and offer an entry point into the history of St. Paul, the State of Minnesota, and the nation.
Large exhibit panels, graphics, audio experiences, video installations and full-sized replicas guide visitors through the spaces, from the atrium on the first floor, to the four architecturally restored courtrooms, to offices, to nooks and crannies throughout the building. Dramatic tales abound, like James J. Hill’s trust-busting testimony, the trial of infamous gangster moll Evelyn Frechette, the espionage trial of Rose Pastor Stokes and more. An array of interesting characters appear, from Teddy Roosevelt to Ike Eisenhower to Senator Eugene McCarthy to notorious gangsters like Alvin ‘Creepy’ Karpis.
Read more in the Pioneer Press article.
Landmark Center in top 25 “Best Preserved!”
The Landmark Center Building has been selected as one of Minnesota's 25 best preserved historic properties by the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota. It is a great honor to have been selected from the hundreds of possible properties in this touring exhibit.
The Alliance embarked upon an effort to select the 25 best preserved properties in honor of its 25th Anniversary. The Preservation Alliance of Minnesota is a member-based historic preservation nonprofit. For more information to schedule the exhibit or become a member call 651-293-9047.
Minnesota Landmarks Receives Award
The Minnesota chapter of the Society of American Institute of Architecture has honored Landmark Center and its renovation with the 25 year award. The building was elegantly restored by Winsor/Faricy Architects (now Collaborative Design Group) in 1979.
“The building is enhanced by the lasting restoration; the use of color is unique and highlights original details. It was an important project for its time...and remains today a living, breathing space full of community organizations and activities.” (quote from Architecture Minnesota, Nov/Dec issue 2005)
