History & Cultural Research

The historic Ellsworth Rock Gardens is a popular visitor destination.

 

Background

Cultural resources are aspects of a cultural system that are valued by or significantly representative of a culture, or that contain significant information about a culture. Management of these resources throughout the NPS is divided into five disciplines: archeology, ethnography, museum collections, historical structures, and cultural landscapes.

Cultural resources programs strive to understand, preserve, and provide for the enjoyment of cultural resources. This work falls into four categories: research, planning, compliance, and stewardship. Within stewardship, Voyageurs’ cultural resources program overlaps with other park divisions by developing the visitor experience (interpretation), managing facilities
(maintenance), and protecting sensitive resources (law enforcement).

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Voyageurs National Park is responsible for managing 16 historical properties that are listed on or eligible for the National Register:

Kettle Falls Historic District	Levin Cabin
Kabetogama Ranger Station	Meawood Lodge
Gold Mine Historic District	I.W. Stevens Resort
Garrett Cabin	Monson's Hoist Bay Resort
Harry Oveson Fish Camp	Kaukola Homestead
Fujita Cabin	Mittet Cabin
Camp Marston	Ingersoll Estate
Ellsworth Rock Gardens	Casareto Cabin

 

Program Areas

Three collections are managed at Voyageurs National Park:

• the museum collection consists of objects directly related to the history of the park area;
• the archives contain records generated by park establishment and operations;
• and the library includes reference materials about the history of the region and is for use by park staff and visitors, researchers, and students.

The collections serve as scientific and historical documentation of the park’s resources and purpose.

Voyageurs National Park also preserves over four hundred archeological sites. Archeological inventory in the park focuses on compliance and evaluation of resources for eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places. Park staff also work closely with Native groups to identify and protect sensitive cultural resources. Academic archeological research is occasionally conducted in cooperation with the NPS Midwest Archeological Center and other contracted entities.

 

Other Preservation Resources

Many preservation resources for the National Park Service are available online. Check out the following sites for any additional information.

National Park Service History E-Library- The National Park Service's History e-Library contains thousands of electronic publications covering the history of the National Park Service and the units comprising the National Park System. We invite you to learn more about history and how the National Park Service works to preserve it.

Preservation Briefs- Preservation Briefs provide guidance on preserving, rehabilitating, and restoring historic buildings. These NPS Publications help historic building owners recognize and resolve common problems prior to work.

Conserve-O-Grams- Both experienced and inexperienced museum staff responsible for the care and use of museum collections can find short, focused leaflets about caring for museum objects, published in loose-leaf format.