100 years of Superior National Forest celebrated... in St. Paul?

After nearly a year of commemorations at various Northeastern Minnesota locations, officials of the Superior National Forest will hold a centennial open house in St. Paul next week.

"[We'll be] using slides and a Power Point to attempt to bring a piece of the forest down there to people in the Twin Cities who may not have been to the forest," Superior National Forest spokeswoman Chris Reichenbach said of the Sept. 24 event from her Duluth office today.

"There may be forest products [exhibited] and [information about] different kinds of experiences. We'll also explain our management mission and just increase awareness of who we are, what we are and what we have to offer."

The St. Paul open house follows several events since April in Duluth, Tofte, Ely, Cook and Grand Marais marking one hundred years since President Theodore Roosevelt signed the Feb. 13, 1909 proclamation designating the forest. It encompasses much of Northeastern Minnesota, including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

The Sept. 24 open house will be held from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Wellstone Memorial Community Center at 179 Robie Street East in St. Paul.

The public is invited to view historical artifacts, informational displays and video programs. There will be hourly presentations, demonstrations and family activities.

Among those receiving invitations are state lawmakers from areas outside of the Arrowhead who Reichenbach said may not have had the opportunity to visit the forest.

"I'm hoping they and their staff will come," she said. "Even for people who never come to the forest, there are some important benefits in having a large piece of green real estate like we have in public management."

For more information, contact the Superior National Forest Headquarters in Duluth at (218) 626-4300.