The North Dakota Heritage Center has reopened – after doubling its space in a renovation project.
The $52 million project includes four new galleries and a new entrance area. There’s a new theater, a new museum store, a remodeled auditorium, and a number of informational kiosks.
For State Historical Society director Merl Paaverud, it’s been a long time coming.
"Still lots to do -- we have two exhibit halls to go, and we have some adjustments to do," said Paaverud. "But it's open."
Paaverud says he wants to get that word out to the public.
"It's been really lonely, with no people coming in," said Paaverud. "I know people have been driving by for a long time, and I want them to see what's inside."
Gov. Jack Dalrymple toured the Heritage Center Monday.
"The only word I can come up with is fantastic," said Dalrymple. "The fossils are going to draw children and families by the thousands. And the early peoples' exhibit has allowed us to display so much more of the artifacts that we have owned for decades, and never really had a chance to properly display. I think people are going to realize that we have world class collections here, and that it is a world class facility."
The grand opening of the Heritage Center is scheduled for November 2nd – which is North Dakota’s 125th birthday.
