By Logan Wells, News Director | Logan@kymnradio.net
The Defeat of Jesse James Days last week drew much attention to the site of the raid, now the museum of the Northfield History Center. Built in 1868, the Scriver Building and First National Bank, which houses the History Center, underwent repairs in the 1970s and 80s when the History Center first moved into the building. Sean Allen, the Executive Director of the Center, says that the repairs focused on the first floor and now significant work is needed on the second floor. Allen cited both interior and exterior examples as part of the issues:
“You can see the bricks have been falling off the building. I hope nobody has gotten hurt. The stucco is falling apart,” – Sean Allen, Executive Director of the Northfield History Center at the 8/19/2025 City Council Meeting
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To fix the building, the History Center has created a two-part plan. Phase 1 focuses on the interior of the building, which will be reworked into 5 apartment spaces, including all necessary fixes and improvements. Phase 2 would focus on replacing the stonework and overall fixing the exterior of the building. Furthermore, the new design would be more in alignment with how the building looked when it was originally built, something Allen says has gained a lot of support from outside groups for the project:
“Our plan is to go back to the 1876 version of the building, and the Minnesota Historic Preservation Office has been supportive of this and they have been kind of. Being aware and approving each one of the iterations of the design work that we’ve been doing with that grant.” – Sean Allen, Executive Director of the Northfield History Center at the 8/19/2025 City Council Meeting
Images of the Interior and Exterior of the History Center and some of the issues they face. Pictures provided by the History Center.
The cost for both phases of the project would be approximately $1.6 million. While the cost is high, Allen says the organization has been busy fundraising and seeking out grants with funding coming from the City and DEED, the Minnesota Historical Society, and their own internal fundraising.
Next in the process, the designs will go to the local Historical Preservation Commission for approval. Will keep you posted on the story as there are more details.
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