The Minnesota Historical Society awarded a Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grant in the amount of $49,400 to the Staples Historical Society. The grant was approved by the state society’s awards committee on May 26, and will support its windows and doors project at the Staples depot.

Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants are made possible by the Minnesota Legislature from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund created with passage of the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment to the Minnesota Constitution in November 2008. The grants are awarded to support projects of enduring value for the cause of history and historic preservation across the state.

The windows and doors project begins in August with an anticipated completion date of June, 2011. The project will include replacement and restoration of all windows and doors at the depot.

A match is required for the grant. Memorial/dedications for windows at the deport are still available for $500. This will provide the necessary match money. Contact Mary Stangle-Hess at 218-894-1010 to purchase a window.

The State Historical Society will award a total of $6.75 million in Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants to non-profit and educational organizations, government units and tribes during the 2010 and 2011 fiscal years.