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Custom windows mark progress at History Center

Lead Summary
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By
Lori Sorenson

For several months the new History Center downtown Luverne has been shrouded in plastic while work continues inside to convert the 100-year-old Herman Motor building into the Historical Society’s new home.
In the past week, the plastic came off and massive custom windowpanes were placed in the showroom area and entrance area, giving the public a sense of what the building will look like.
“The work is moving outside and people will start to notice progress,” said James Arentson, project architect for the History Center construction.
Arentson was hired by the Rock County Historical Society through an agreement with the Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership in Slayton. The construction manager is also with SWMHP.
While some contractors had to come from out of town, Arentson said he’s enjoyed working with local businesses.
“Our focus is to be in Luverne and Rock County as much as possible,” Arentson said. Local contractors so far include:
•Busse Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning (Jim Remme) for plumbing and mechanical work.
•Remme Construction (Scott and Denny Remme) for concrete floor work in the west part of the building
•Jason DeBeer of Concrete Creations for concrete work in other areas of the building.
•Luverne Building Center has been the primary resource for lumber and materials
•Mert’s Machine and Repair for structural steel fabrication and repair
“This project is funded through local sources and donations, so we should do business here whenever possible,” Arentson said.
 
Background:
The Rock County Historical Society purchased the 100-year-old Ford building in May 2015 for $150,000 from Herman Motors, which expanded and relocated on South Highway 75.
As soon as the auto business moved out, work began to transform the 11,000 square feet into display spaces, research quarters and rotating exhibits for the Historical Society.
The new building will address problems that the Historical Society has struggled to address at the museum’s current location on North Freeman Avenue in the Masonic Lodge building.
The new History Center will have adequate space, be handicap-accessible and will prominently display history in a central part of the community.
Costs to renovate the old Ford building were estimated at more than $1 million, and a local fundraising campaign has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the cause.
Tax-deductible donations to the Rock County Historical Society Endowment Fund are still being accepted at PO Box 741, Luverne MN 56156.

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