Vesterheim Museum signs purchase agreement for Cary property (UPDATED)

(Front row, left to right): Vesterheim Board Chair Kate Martinson, Bill Cary and J.R. Cary. (Back row, left to right): Vesterheim Executive Director Steve Johnson, Vesterheim Trustee Ron Fadness, Vesterheim Trustee Lindsay Erdman.

Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum has announced it has signed an agreement to purchase the buildings now occupied by Cary Machine and Welding at 508 and 512 West Water Street, adjacent to the museum.  The purchase is expected to close May 1st.

For almost forty years Vesterheim has worked toward this acquisition as part of the museum's strategic plan for a unified campus.  Vesterheim owns the other properties along the north side of the 500 block of West Water Street, but not the Cary property right in the middle of the block. A news release from Vesterheim calls the purchase of the Cary building a "longtime dream."

Discussions about the short-term use of the Cary Building are continuing.  Vesterheim officials thanked Bill Cary, J.R. Cary, the Cary Family Trust, and all the museum trustees present and past for making the purchase happen.

An aerial view of the Cary property (outlined in red)(Courtesy of Winneshiek County Beacon website)(Click on photo for larger image)