The Hjemkomst Center is known around the world for housing a mystical replica Viking ship brought to life by legendary local Robert Asp.
But underneath the giant boat hull, the imposing starboard, and down a quick flight of stairs, there’s more treasure to uncover: a collection of oceanic proportions ranging from a celebration of regional cuisine to a Norman Rockwell-esque photography exhibit depicting rural 4-H life, plus countless artifacts recognizing the region’s rich Scandinavian and Native American histories.
Tucked away, you’ll also find Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County Executive Director Laura Forde either in her office getting organized in her new position or exploring the depths of the museum’s collections.
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Standing near a glass wall display featuring steamer trunks, fiddles and wind instruments brought over by Norwegian immigrants, Forde, who began her tenure at the helm of HCSCC on July 1, feels naturally at home among all the history.
“You can see all the things Norwegian people brought over, and it’s just so neat,” she added, pointing to a cast-iron lefse pan. “My grandma had one just like that.
For Forde, it’s more than nostalgia or a love of her own Scandinavian heritage driving her curiosity. She’s made a career out of learning history and helping others do the same, first as a social studies teacher with an MS in educational leadership, and later at the North Dakota Heritage Center and State Museum in Bismarck.
“People need to be engaged and involved in their own learning,” she said, and from her perspective, a community-based historical museum like HCSCC is the perfect place to explore it.
Originally from Aneta, ND, Forde’s been slowly moving herself and family from Bismarck where they’ve lived for the past several years. She’s spent her first weeks as executive director getting to know the organization and making small, incremental improvements.
“I’m looking at how we can streamline some things, for example, using technology more effectively,” an area Forde is eager to expand on in order to grow HCSCC’s community education initiatives and other engagement programming.
But in-person work remains important. “Programs like our History on Tap events get us out into communities throughout Clay County so we can educate and tell our history in interesting ways,” she said.
Forde calls HCSCC’s approach to county historical and cultural preservation refreshing.
“One of the things that impressed me about coming here to work is that this little staff of five or six people are designing international museum-quality exhibitions,” she said. “In addition to managing our artifacts, they are doing professional museum fabrication work at a very high level.”
Aside from making exhibitions visually appealing and interactive, Forde believes the historical society is in a unique position to offer valuable experiences for community members, all while growing and preserving the mission and collections at HCSCC.
“It’s history, but it’s also culture,” she said. “Just embracing those cultural differences and sharing our heritage in such an impressive way is a refreshing take on historical societies and their value in our communities.”
For now, Forde has been focused on getting to know her new professional home. And with a busy fall schedule at the museum, she’s been focusing on streamlining administrative services and adding technological elements that make operating the county museum as efficient as possible.
It’s all part of her strategy to get to know the region better and begin to understand the intricacies of keeping local history alive.
“The first year will focus on small things, but I’ve also been thinking of other ways to fundraise in addition to grants so we can raise money to expand the museum’s amazing services to the community,” Forde said. “As a historical society, we can show history and really make it move.”
Forde walks past a photo by Minnesota photographer R.J. Kerns showing a rural 4-H scene. It’s part of a larger exhibit called “The Unchosen Ones,” and captures the spirit of kids who compete in livestock competitions but do not win.
“The boat is impressive and there’s no denying that,” she said, spreading her arms in a gesture of welcome. “But it’s just the beginning of what we have to offer.”
This article is made possible thanks to a communications collaboration with The Forum.
About the author
Lonna Whiting is a writer and communications consultant for The Arts Partnership.
