April 7th, 2008
Fergus Falls Kirkbride Tours
Unfortunately, tours of the Fergus Falls Kirkbride have been discontinued. Any tours that may still be happening in 2013 are booked up and the Friends of the Kirkbride are no longer taking reservations. The post below from 2008 will remain here for archival purposes.
The Friends of the Kirkbride in Minnesota are extending an invitation to everyone to tour the former Fergus Falls RTC. You can read more about it here: Kirkbride is a Treasure of Architecture.
Speaking of Fergus Falls, check out these aerial photos somebody posted on MySpace:
Don’t bother calling the number, the woman was being short and rude to me claiming the tours are completely booked till the end of the year it’s Oct 3, really? You can’t fit in one more person? They either need to have more of these before the building is revamped or allot more people. Again very sad I couldn’t go.
I also called regarding tours and there is no option to schedule one, just plainly stating that they are booked through the year. Doesn’t seem like they are passionate about getting the word out. Also very sad, as I have been researching Kirkbrides for quite some time now.
I suppose they have no incentive to do more tours. The building has been sold and will be redeveloped, so raising more donations via tours won’t really do anything. Too bad. I’d make a trip up to Fergus in November on a weekend to visit, and I’d book a hotel room for a night for us to see other sites. Somebody should be exploiting this building as long as they can for the benefit of local tourism. I’m sure I’m the exception, not the rule, but every extra trip they book from out of town will benefit the local economy.
There was a news story on Kare 11 last night:
http://www.kare11.com/news/extras/article/1042019/26/Historic-MN-insane-asylum-spared-from-wrecking-ball
I get the impression that the tours are a real mom & pop run thing – and they have probably gotten very popular and a bit overwhelmed as people were thinking that it might be their only chance to see the building. Depending on the nature of the redevelopment they may not be able to give tours once the paperwork is finalized – but the good news is that it looks like the building will be preserved and there will be a museum on site when it is done too. I know I will make a point to visit this site sometime in the future. Very interesting.
Based on what is appearing on here, there are no more tours available. However, I am one of many many people who enjoyed the story on kare11 and would LOVE to tour this historic building. Please consider adding some more tours!!!!!
Well, that’s disappointing. I would totally make a weekend trip to Fergus to tour this building before it’s redone. I guess I will have to make due with the photos. :(
The reason tours are suspended after this date are that there is NO HEAT. Also be aware there are NO BATHROOMS and MANY STEPS in this building. It is not a luxury tour. They are very happy to have interest in their building, but they cannot heat it so they have determined that they will not hold tours any further into the winter months. It is Minnesota…
I just recently learned of the tours. My mother was adopted and I just recently have learned our family history. My biological great grandmother spent her life age 41 to near her death at Fergus Falls. So for that reason I am gathering information since and would love a tour. I hope in the spring once it warms up the tours will resume. Thank you for all you do.
I also saw the story about this big beautiful historic site on TV. “If only” it had aired earlier in the year. VERY disappointed that I won’t be able to see this beauty this year, but am hopeful you’d extend the invite in the Spring. We love hiking, so wearing coats, covering ground, and taking the stairs are right up our alley. Of course with a place so beatiful, taking photos is a must! We’re a group of 4 that would travel to the area for the weekend and our wish is to see it BEFORE its renovation and then come back for another visit afterward. Depending on whether the remodel plans to host a hotel on site comes to fruition, we would love to stay on site. The news coverage has apparently brought fourth lots of opportunity for some local tourism. I hope that somebody can make this happen. I will DEFINATELY be checking back for updates.
I am extremely disappointed to see that they are no longer scheduling tours. I think there is a lot of history in these buildings. A part of me is sad they are revamping these buildings, and I would love a tour before they erase history.