Historicorps – Shingobee, MN 2023

Central Minnesota is home to green wetlands, deciduous forests, and the heroic tribes of the Chippewa comprised of Bois Forte, Fond du Lac, Grand Portage, Leech Lake, Mille Lacs, and White Earth reservations. It’s also known for its intersection between modern conservation efforts, popular recreation sites, and a booming timber industry. The Shingobee Recreation Area is a byproduct of all three.

Built in the late 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps as a premiere cross-country ski attraction for midwesterners, the area hosted one of the first downhill ski areas in Minnesota, with its built out ski slopes, toboggan slide, trail systems, and chalet. Today it’s still a popular winter site, but with nearly seven miles of established trails and thriving wildlife, the habitat surrounding Shingobee make it a treasure of the Chippewa National Forest.

Often referred to as the land of many values, the Chippewa National Forest is also a land of many uses. In the mid 20th century, a booming and sustainable timber industry brought economic stability to the region at a time when the Great Depression was still affecting countless Americans. Coupled with the presence of the CCC; conservation, recreation, and sustainable timbering would ultimately define the Chippewa National Forest and make it one of the country’s most distinguished forests.

HistoriCorps invites you up to Minnesota as we get set to repair the old ski shelter at Shingobee Recreation Area. Please check out the United States Department of Agriculture’s write-up on Shingobee as well as their write-up on the Chippewa National Forest.

HistoriCorps is committed to educating and training volunteers in preservation skills, with an overarching mission of inspiring a preservation ethic in all those involved. Learning and working alongside expert HistoriCorps field staff, volunteers and applying the traditional skills necessary to restore the shelter at Shingobee:

• Repair roof and roof framing
• Replace boards and batten walls
• Rebuild shelter benches

Please note: Tasks vary by day and by week, depending on a variety of factors including: weather, project priorities, previous groups’ work, and more. Though it is likely you will get to learn and practice most or all of the above tasks, it is not guaranteed. The higher percentage of the scope a particular task is, the more likely you will get to practice it.

We’re thrilled this project has inspired you to volunteer!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

Visit our Job Calendar to see if a project session is full.

*All registrations submitted to projects at capacity will be automatically added to our waitlist.*

You will know your registration was successful when you receive a confirmation email. Contact volunteer@historicorps.org for assistance.