by Becky Kingsley, who is a volunteer at the Casselton Heritage Center

What do a South Dakota couple in town for specialized treatment for their dog have in common with a museum researcher working on a project about rural Cass County women who have served in the armed forces?

They were all recent visitors to the Casselton Heritage Center.

The Heritage Center, known by many in town as The Stone Church, is a Gothic Revival-style church which is on the National Registry of Historic Buildings. It was built in 1886 for the St. Stephen’s Episcopal congregation. In the 1950s, the Casselton Mennonite congregation purchased the building, and they worshipped there for many years.

After the Mennonite congregation disbanded, the Casselton Heritage Center was established in 2004 through the initiative of Twila Schrock and others. The Heritage Center’s mission is to preserve this beautiful structure and collect historical assets from the surrounding areas.

The Heritage Center building is unique. Made of field stone from the local area, it contains many of its original stained-glass windows, as well as many original furnishings such as the pews and organ.

But that’s not all there is for visitors to see. There is a large school collection that includes class pictures and yearbooks. One room is devoted to information and items from the five governors from Casselton. Many other photographs and documents from the beginning of Casselton to present day are a part of the Heritage Center collection.

So many times we hear people ask "what’s there to do in Casselton?" We would answer that by saying “Come visit the Heritage Center.” Contact Julie, 701-238-4782, Bernie 701-238-0536 or Ron 701-261-0460 to arrange a tour. The facility is also available for area residents to rent for programs, weddings, funerals, open houses, tours, educational and entertainment activities. Follow us on Facebook for updates.