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Local museum seeks help to preserve century-old former post office
Summary
Judy Sutherland, president of the West Hennepin and Maple Plain Museum, told the council the 1915 former post office building is deteriorating and that the museum is fundraising and exploring options; she said the structure's lumber and foundation are degraded and that a replica rebuild may be necessary.
Judy Sutherland, president of the West Hennepin and Maple Plain Museum, asked the Independence City Council for help as the museum works to preserve a 1915 building that formerly served as the local post office.
Sutherland said restoration volunteers have stabilized parts of the structure and that the group has raised funds through membership drives, engraved brick sales, cookbook sales and raffles, but that the building’s lumber and foundation are failing. "We can’t move it; we have to rebuild," she told the council, and described plans to build a replica at a new site near the ballpark if relocation is not feasible.
Councilors asked questions about the feasibility of moving the structure and noted limitations on city financial support for outside organizations; staff said the budget workshop could address possible city support options. Sutherland said volunteers and fundraising remain the museum’s primary means of support and requested help from both Independence and neighboring Maple Plain.
The comment was made during the Open/Misc public-comment portion of the meeting; no formal action was taken.
