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.

Opposition to the park came mostly from local residents and the forest products industry. Most of the arguments opposing the park related to the decreased tax base that would result from increasing government ownership of Minnesota's land, the increased traffic and congestion that the park would promote, and the displacement of private land owners. Congressional hearings were held in 1969 and 1970, and in spite of the strong opposition, an act authorizing the park was passed on January 8, 1971.

This act, however, did not establish the park. Minnesota was required to transfer certain state lands before the creation of the Voyageurs National Park could proceed. It was not until 1975 that a taxpayer suit blocking the transfer of these lands was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court. The park was formally established in April of that year.

A Citizen's Committee for Voyageur National Park was soon created by the state legislature to monitor all matters relating to the establishment and operations of the national park. This group does not seem to have had any relation to the Voyageurs National Park Association or to the earlier citizens' committee.

Since the establishment of Voyageurs National Park in 1975, the association has served as an informal advisory board to the National Park Service in the planning and development of the park. In 1985 the organization was renamed the Voyageurs Region National Park Association to reflect the broadening of its mandate to include conservation issues relating to the St. Croix National Scenic Waterway.

From the guide to the Association records., 1964-1994., (Minnesota Historical Society)