Redesigning the Veterans' Gallery

The long awaited redesign of the Veterans Gallery is complete. It has been the dream of CCHS staff to give the Veterans' Gallery a Carver County voice, telling the stories the artifacts holds within their recesses. Follow the links below to explore the goals of the gallery, read updates and view photos of our progress, and learn how you can help!

• Proposed exhibit goals
• Elements of a Memorial
  1. Proof of the event in which participants succumbed or survived
  2. Simplicity
  3. Reflection
  4. Participation
• How you can help
• Veterans' Exhibit Blog: Updates, Photos, Reflection, and More!

1. To serve as a memorial to Carver County servicemen and women who have sacrificed their lives in the armed forces.
2. To acknowledge the military service of Carver County veterans, both living and deceased.
3. To provide basic information about military conflicts in which Carver County has been involved, including their causes, the course of events, and resolution.
4. To provide specific information about the activities of Carver County residents during military conflicts, including the activities of servicemen and women and life on the home front.

These goals will be realized through three broad formats within the Veterans Gallery, including a central memorial area, an interpretive exhibit and a dedicated space for the Veterans Library with facilities for multimedia presentations.

• Proof of the event in which participants succumbed or survived
  In the case of this exhibit, objects which were owned and used by Carver County servicemen and women, along with photographs and brief descriptive text, provide tangible evidence of the military conflicts experienced by residents of Carver County. Because objects are tactile, and touching is a more memorable experience than seeing, a certain number of objects need to be available for hands-on use.
• Simplicity
  The memorial itself should be simple and direct, featuring a prominently displayed American flag and the names of all known Carver County military casualties.
• Reflection
  A quiet area with seating will be an important part of the design.
• Participation
  In addition to the tactile experience of touching objects or printed names, the exhibit must provide a way for individuals to comment or leave something behind to memorialize themselves. Notebooks for leaving comments, maps which can be marked with areas of service and individual portraits of servicemen and women which stimulate memories and conversation will help meet this need. Another important element might be to include a space to exhibit American flags from the funerals of servicemen and women.

1. It is estimated that the gallery construction will cost approximately $15,000. The Carver County Historical Society is looking for donors to sponsor sections of the display. Donors may choose which section they would like to sponsor and a plaque noting sponsorship will be included in the gallery. Any amount you feel you can give is appreciated.
   
2. If you have items that tell the story of a conflict through the eyes of a Carver County resident, we would like to talk to you about your artifacts. Keep in mind the story might come from those at home. How did rationing affect you and your family? Do you have letters or pictures, specifically pictures of everyday life?
3. We need your time. A great many hours of labor are needed to make this gallery a tribute to our troops. We are in search of volunteers to catalogue artifacts, move items into storage, build exhibit furniture and storage, and much more. Please call (952) 442-4234 if you would like to volunteer, or visit our Volunteer page.

Please help us create a memorial to those who have served.