TSHS hosting open houses at the historic fire hall

TOWER- The Tower-Soudan Historical Society’s new executive director, Kelsey Cooke, was at the open house on Monday, to greet community members and show off the newly-restored historic building.
Cooke will be guiding the historical society’s work over the next several years, including working with the board to plan how the new community space will be used, organizing future programs, working on plans for the depot museum and trains, setting up new exhibits in the fire hall, as well as bringing Arrowhead Library System events to the new location.
The society has received a $30,000 grant from the IRRR’s Cultural and Tourism Fund to help furnish the new space, which will become the new home (actually the original home) for the historic Tippett steam fire engine, as well as rotating exhibits.
Cooke, who lives in Tower with her fiancée who works for the DNR at the McCarthy Beach State Park, grew up in West Virginia, though she is already feeling at home in Tower.
“I feel like I know almost everybody already,” she said.
Cooke said the community is passionate about history and preserving stories from the past, and is looking forward to meeting more community members and learning more about our local history.
Community members are invited to get a first look at the restored Historic Fire Hall during Charlemagne’s Sneak Peek Coffee on Mondays, Nov. 9 and 16, from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Visitors can enjoy coffee and sweets, explore the space, and share ideas for the future of the History Center.