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Title: Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge Oral History
Dates: 2010
Collection Number: 11200
Quantity: .25 feet
Abstract: Six individuals, current and former staff members of Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge, were interviewed between June 9 and June 25, 2010. The interviews centered on the built environment at Arrowwood, in particular the remaining WPA-era structures and any information about their uses, physical or functional changes, or any other information that would aid in the general documentation of the built environment at Arrowwood. Interviews were conducted with Doris Messmer, Bill Riebe, Gloria Kosse, James Somsen, Arnold Kruse, and Jerald Wolsky. All names were provided by Doris Messmer. The interviews were conducted by Gerald Newborg. Ms. Messmer provided two other names of former managers. However, current contact information was not readily available on either and both live in other states (Montana and Minnesota). After reviewing the interviews that have been completed, the conclusion was that these or any other interviews were unlikely to yield additional information. When asked for names of individuals that should be interviewed, the narrators generally gave the same names, which were those who were already on the interview list.
Provenance: Gerald Newborg donated the interviews to the State Historical Society of North Dakota in 2010.
Property Rights: The State Historical Society of North Dakota owns the property rights to this collection.
Copyrights: Copyrights to this collection remain with the donor, publisher, author, or author's heirs. Researchers should consult the 1976 Copyright Act, Public Law 94-553, Title 17, U.S. Code or an archivist at this repository if clarification of copyright requirements is needed.
Access: This collection is open under the rules and regulations of the State Historical Society of North Dakota.
Citation: Researchers are requested to cite the collection title, collection number, and the State Historical Society of North Dakota in all footnote and bibliographic references.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Taken from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service website
Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1935 as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. It is an important link in a chain of refuges extending from the prairie lands of the Canadian border to the Gulf of Mexico.
Located along the James River in east central North Dakota, Arrowwood's 15,934 acres are made up of lakes, marshes, prairie grasslands, wooded coulees, and cultivated fields.
As the river meanders its way across the prairie, it passes through four main water bodies — Arrowwood, Mud, and Jim Lakes, and Depuy Marsh. These are naturally occurring riverine lakes that have had control structures added at their outlets.
Arrowwood is managed primarily to attract waterfowl during migration periods, but also contains excellent habitat for ducks, geese, grebes, and shore birds, along with many other forms of wildlife.
BOX / FOLDER INVENTORY
Box 1:
1 James Somsen interview, June 25, 2010
Gloria Kosse interview, June 16, 2010
Arnold Kruse interview, June 23, 2010
Jerald Wolsky interview, June 16, 2010
Gloria Messmer and Bill Riebe interview, June 9, 2010
2 “An Oral History of the Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters,” July 22, 2010
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