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Territorial Governors | Back to North Dakota Governors
Thirtieth Governor
Political Background:
Edward T. Schafer received his bachelor's degree from the University of North Dakota, and his MBA degree from the University of Denver. After graduation he went to work at the Gold Seal Company, a North Dakota-based manufacturing firm founded by his father, Harold Schafer. Schafer worked in several divisions of the Company, serving as its President from 1978 to 1985. Schafer claimed four major accomplishments during his tenure as governor, three of which were goals at the start of his administration: (1) more jobs and a more diverse economy; (2) a more efficient state government; and (3) a re-energized state with a new image. A fourth accomplishment was a strengthened Republican Party which held large majorities in both houses of the Legislative Assembly and all but one of the elective executive positions at the close of Schafer's second term.
Schafer was the first governor to be married in office. Natural disasters also plagued the state in the 1990s, most notably a major flood and fire in Grand Forks in 1997, with flooding throughout much of the state; and a continuing crisis as the waters of Devils Lake flooded thousands of acres and forced many people from homes and businesses. Keeping with national trends, the state's prison population doubled, the farm economy remained weak, and out-migration affected all but the major urban centers of the state.
Address:
612 East Boulevard Ave.
Bismarck, North Dakota 58505
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Hours:
State Museum and Store: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. M-F; Sat. & Sun. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
We are closed New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. We are closed at noon Christmas Eve if it falls on Mon.-Thurs. and are closed all day if it falls on Fri.-Sun.
State Archives: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. M-F, except state holidays; 2nd Sat. of each month, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Appointments are recommended. To schedule an appointment, please contact us at 701.328.2091 or archives@nd.gov.
State Historical Society offices: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. M-F, except state holidays.
Contact Us:
phone: 701.328.2666
email: history@nd.gov
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