“I think it’s wonderful that they [ARCC] remembered the Historical Society when they decided what they wanted to do with the building,” says Kathy McCully, Executive Director of the Isanti County Historical Society.

“There’s a symmetry here that fosters a strong community,” says Dr. Patrick M. Johns, ARCC President. “Rookie Olson had the foresight to donate a portion of his land for the college to be built on. In turn, Anoka-Ramsey purchased some more of his property to facilitate expansion of the Campus and now has donated one of his buildings to the Historical Society. Rookie’s donation was a nod to the future; Anoka-Ramsey’s donation is a nod to the past. And both donations contribute to culture and education in the region.”

A Community Comes Together to Preserve Past
“Back in 2003, the College [ARCC] offered the Historical Society the farm silo,” says McCully. “But we couldn’t move it without disassembling it. The summer kitchen was small enough to move. It has a lot of character and it’s in good shape. Thankfully everyone was conducive to making it happen.”

When ARCC’s donation was officially accepted by the Historical Society board in May, the community launched into relocation action with their time and equipment. EnComm Midwest offered their expertise for the permit application and to determine county requirements for the foundation. Charlie Slater offered his skills and truck to actually move the building. Earthscapes Landscaping pitched in to do the Bobcat work and supply the gravel to prepare the new site. The cement for the foundation was donated by Isanti Ready Mix. And the students in Tom Smith’s Construction Trades class at Cambridge-Isanti High School prepared the site, built the forms and laid the foundation.

The summer kitchen originally stood near a recently demolished farmhouse and was used for cooking from spring into autumn, keeping the main house cooler for sleeping. According to Mildred Erickson, Rookie Olson’s sister, the main house was almost always vacant during the summers when the farm was still running.

“We practically lived in the summer kitchen,” says Erickson. “My mother loved that summer kitchen. She could hardly wait for spring so she could be out there.”

“During threshing time, the family and all the neighbors gathered around the table for meals,” says Olson’s niece Janet Axell. “We went out there to see the farm last summer. It was very emotional. We’re glad it [the summer kitchen] will still be around now.”

Increased Opportunities for Education
Both the Historical Society and ARCC-Cambridge Campus are in the process of expanding their facilities to better serve the community.

Olson’s farmstead, adjacent to the land he originally donated, was purchased by ARCC to accommodate future growth of the Cambridge Campus.

“Anoka-Ramsey is committed to partnerships that lead to cooperative and quality educational programs and services and enhance economic, cultural and community development,” says Johns. “This is one example of that type of partnership. This is a great opportunity to keep a close connection to our history, a connection to life in the early 20th century.”

The summer kitchen’s door will open to visitors next summer, according to McCully, and will eventually host classes and interpretations. The kitchen joins an 1870s pioneer log cabin as well as the first phase of the Historical Society Heritage Center. An octagonal barn of the same era as the summer kitchen is another planned addition as the Historical Society recreates a farm.

For more information on the Isanti County Historical Society, visit www.ichs.ws/ or call 763-689-4229.

For more information about the ARCC-Cambridge Campus addition or course offerings, visit www.AnokaRamsey.edu.