TOWER- After 11 years of restoration, the Historic Tower Fire Hall is nearing completion— and the Tower-Soudan Historical Society (TSHS) is preparing to show the community what comes next.
The building is being transformed into the Tower-Soudan-Lake Vermilion History Education Center, a year-round home for exhibits, education, community activities and opportunities to connect people with local history.
“After more than a decade of restoration and significant investment, the building is ready to transition from preservation to public use,” said TSHS President Nancy Larson. “Although extensive construction at the depot campus prevented the Train Depot Museum from opening for its planned summer season this year, important work continued throughout the society. Improvements to the train cars and settler’s cabin were completed in the spring, and planning moved forward on several projects that will improve the depot campus for years to come. We are excited to share these accomplishments and our plans for the future at the annual meeting.”

A new life for a historic landmark
Located on Tower’s Main Street and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the fire hall is an important part of the community’s story and Minnesota’s Iron Range heritage.
Once completed, the History Education Center will give the historic building a new purpose while preserving its connection to the past. Located within walking distance of local schools, the center will provide an accessible setting where students can explore their community’s history through exhibits, artifacts, oral histories, and hands-on educational programs.
TSHS is also exploring a potential partnership with the Arrowhead Library System. In a community without a public library, such a partnership could expand access to educational resources, library programming, and lifelong learning opportunities for residents of all ages.
The society’s space in the fire hall will feature the 1891 steam-powered fire engine “James Tippet” as a centerpiece of the History Education Center.
“The Tippet is coming out of storage and returning to its original home,” said TSHS President Nancy Larson. “It is an important part of the fire hall’s history, and we know people will be excited to see it back where it belongs.”

The work continues beyond the fire hall
The restoration is only one part of the Tower-Soudan Historical Society’s work.
Volunteers continue to preserve photographs, documents, and artifacts; research and document local history; strengthen the Society’s collections database; develop exhibits; and create educational programs and community events.
Programs such as Train Tales, History Talks, Heritage Week, and other educational activities bring local history to life for residents and visitors. The Society’s collections and research also help preserve stories that might otherwise be lost to future generations.

Two historic uses
under one roof
The completed project will bring the building’s two historic functions together, giving both the city of Tower and the historical society a lasting presence in the landmark.
The city’s administrative offices are expected to return to the original city hall portion of the building this fall, while the historical society will occupy the larger former fire station area for exhibits, educational programs, and community activities.
“There is something special about bringing city hall back to the place where it began in 1895,” said TSHS Vice President Louise Gately. “It restores the building’s original civic purpose while making city government more accessible to Tower residents. At the same time, the historical society will bring new life to the former fire station space. Together, we are giving this historic building a future that honors its past.”

Annual meeting to highlight the society’s work
The historical society will share more about the fire hall restoration, its accomplishments over the past year, and plans for the future at its annual meeting and member reception on Tuesday, Sept. 8, at the Herbert R. Lamppa Civic Center in Tower.
The evening will also feature a special history talk, “Soudan Mine Miners’ Memorial Project,” presented by Elaine McGillivray and the committee that conducted research documenting the lives of 143 miners who died in or near the Soudan Mine between 1884 and 1957.
“This year’s history talk is an opportunity to remember the 143 miners who lost their lives working at the Soudan Mine and to tell the stories behind those names,” said TSHS Secretary Linda Folstad. “For more than six years, local volunteers have researched the lives and families of these miners, uncovering stories that connect deeply to the history of our community. We believe this presentation will be especially meaningful to anyone whose family has a connection to the Soudan Mine.”
The History Talk is open to the public.
Registration begins at 4:45 p.m. Member reception begins at 5:15 p.m. Annual meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. History Talk begins at 6:30 p.m.
More information about the Soudan Mine Miners’ Memorial Project and the Sept. 8 history talk will appear in next week’s newspaper.
The Tower-Soudan Historical Society invites residents, members, former residents, families with connections to the area, and visitors to learn more about the work underway to preserve the community’s history and make that history accessible to future generations.
Interested in helping preserve and share local history? Consider becoming a member of the Tower-Soudan Historical Society. Annual membership is just $15 and provides important support for the society’s programs, collections, exhibits, and ongoing preservation work.