NMRHA seeks funding to build a new home

An early-morning fire caused smoke damage to much of Crosslake's Pineberry Plaza Friday, June 29, 2018. The building houses Nordic Haus, The Crossfire, Lake Luxe Beauty Bar, Pine View Auto Sales and the Northern Minnesota Railroad Heritage Museum. Dan Determan / Echo Journal file photo

By Brainerd Dispatch

December 11, 2018 at 9:00 AM

The Northern Minnesota Railroad Heritage Association lost most of its inventory in June when the Pineberry Plaza building they were leasing experienced a serious fire.

According to a news release, the owners of Pineberry Plaza decided not to rebuild and they donated the property to the NMRHA. While the donation provides the opportunity for the NMRHA organization to build a new home and to rebuild the model train layouts and displays, there will be costs to build a new facility.

The NMRHA property insurance did cover some of the costs related to building new layouts, and for purchasing new track, train cars, engines and displays. The NMRHA is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, which opens up the possibility of receiving government and foundation grants to help offset capital costs and non-capital expenses related to building new layouts and historic displays.

If NMRHA can raise $500,000, it can build a new facility, the news release stated. There has already been an outpouring of support from the community to help the NMRHA. Individuals and businesses have offered matching fund dollars and also have offered to pay the costs of hiring a professional grant writer.

If adequate funds can be raised, construction could begin in the spring of 2019 to build a facility. During construction of the new building, the club members would build new layouts in another location to get the new facility open to the public as soon as possible, the release stated.

For over 11 years the NMRHA model railroad museum was a popular place for locals and area visitors to stop in and see the trains and displays. Over 4,000 people visited the museum annually, many of them over and over again. The NMRHA hosted birthday parties, senior outings, offered a friendly environment for the members to work together on the layouts and to socialize, and educated others about model railroading and local railroad history.

If interested in joining the club and/or helping the NMRHA raise funds, rebuild new layouts, or make a donation, contact George at 218-829-8922 or by mailing a note/donation to NMRHA, P.O. Box 494, Crosslake, MN, 56442.