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As you know, the taking by MnDot of the carriage house part of our property resulted in our having enough money to purchase from Art and Jim Loosen their parcel adjacent to our property to the south. So in a way, MnDot precipitated the changes, which likely couldn't have occurred otherwise. Some good has come out of our loss. Needing space to display the displaced carriage house artifacts, we commenced a capital campaign in 2006. We set our sights high -- dreaming not only of an addition to our existing building, but also improvements to the grounds and to the old school building. While we felt fortunate to have raised over $300,000 before the economy took a dip (we carry on quietly working on fundraising, though, and continue to receive donations and still have our sights on a building addition), we realized that perhaps it would be prudent to tackle some of the planned renovations at the current time and put the building project on hold. To oversee these renovations, board member Jim Dillman volunteered to act as general contractor, a task that no other board member felt competent to undertake. So we're grateful for Jim's help in this manner. Doing thus and with his many contacts in the community, Jim was able to save us a good deal of money. The project began with Jim applying for and receiving a grant from the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District to construct a green parking lot. The flat, grassy area between the museum building and Highway 12 has always been an overflow parking area but could be rather soggy in spring and fall, resulting in stuck cars on more than one occasion. The green parking lot will alleviate this problem. The area was graded and a base of crushed gravel was topped with a gridwork of rigid plastic panels which in turn were filled with soil and planted with grass seed. The gridwork provides stability and the gravel base helps prevent water runoff. Our thanks to the MCWD for funding this project. Other renovations that occurred early on include closing off the driveway west of the building, installing drain tile and raising the grade to divert water away from the building. Electrical service, sewer and water lines — perhaps old enough to warrant historic status — were upgraded. The front door — that is, the one that might be called the true front door—the one at the top of the steep flight of stairs— was replaced. The old door was mighty drafty and was beginning to show its age. The new door, with side windows, lets in a lot more light, making the entryway an attractive and inviting spot. New lights were installed in the stairway and in the kitchen and the island counter in the kitchen was moved to an inline wall, making the room much more useful. Probably the most noticeable and most functional change has been the new entryway. The notion was to eliminate the short flight of stairs down to the ground floor. This was accomplished by removing the existing entry, lowering the grade and constructing a spacious new entry at the kitchen/archives level. A new sidewalk dispels any question of where the entry is. Jim also designed the rerouting of the driveway to the south of the log cabin school house and a reconfiguration of the parking lot, which has made the cabin feel more a part of the layout. We're pleased to have an improved level parking lot and freshly — paved driveway as the existing surfaces were in dangerously decrepit shape. These improvements have brought many favorable comments as the fresh look makes it feel as though "someone lives here again", in the words of one visitor. Do come by and let us know what you think. As I said, it's been years since any major improvements have been undertaken here, and it was high time to have taken the plunge. Our many generous donors have made this possible, for which we are exceedingly grateful, we are constantly reminded that our greatest resource is the support of our members and friends. Yes our archives and artifacts are precious and irreplaceable, but without the support of the community this organization would not—flourish. Jim has passed on a list of people and companies who have worked to make the improvements possible, often donating time and materials or billing at reduces rates. Ron Beatty, Attorney, worked with us in our negotiations with MnDot and the Loosens. Mark Gronberg, Gronberg and Associates, did all the survey work.