Project Statement

Project Statement

”The National Drovers Hall of Fame Association seeks to acknowledge the endeavors of the drovers as the founders of the Great American Cattle Industry. The association proposes to recognize the unique history of the cattle drive era by honoring the drovers, the cattle, the horses, the men, the women, the railroads and the cattle towns which made it all happen by sharing the legacy, promoting the beef industry and preserving the cowboy way of life.

”The National Drovers Hall of Fame Museum in Ellsworth intends to memorialize the cattle drive era through the preservation of the Insurance Building to house a portion of the museum. The organization plans to create a world class museum, singularly unique in that it will recognize and honor the people who made the era of the cattle drive synonymous with the development of the United States.

”The anchor building for the project will be the Insurance Building located at ___ N. Douglas Street. The distinctive oriel on the building naturally draws a visitor s attention. The building is recognized state-wide as the signature of Ellsworth because of this unique feature which is visible when approaching the downtown area from both the north and south. The building has remained vacant for over thirty years and will require extensive restoration to bring it back into use. Projected plans include the use of
nearby buildings to house cattle drive exhibits, a theater, food bar/saloon, gift shop and a library/research center. Projected plans include the acquisition of two adjacent buildings to the north to meet square footage requirements for development of the museum.”