Voyageurs Region National Park Association

In 1961 the state of Minnesota asked the U.S. National Park Service to study the area around the Kabetogama Peninsula as a possible site for a national park. The Voyageurs National Park Association was formed in April 1965 to encourage the development of this national park site. Funds for the association were initially provided by the Greater Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce. Former Minnesota Governor Elmer L. Andersen headed the group, and the association was allowed to locate at the H.B. Fuller Company's Department of Civic Affairs in St. Paul until 1966 (Andersen was the president of H.B. Fuller).

A parallel group, the Citizens Committee for the Voyageurs National Park (sic), was formed about 1967. This group eventually merged with the Voyageurs National Park Association. The association lobbied state and federal legislators, formed local chapters, produced films and other promotional materials, and solicited contributions to support its work. Rita F. Shemesh served as secretary of the organization. The group's primary objective was to have Congress enact a law authorizing the establishment of the Voyageurs National Park.

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