Name/Title
Douglas Root Beer Barrel Restoration documentsEntry/Object ID
2025.11.01Scope and Content
Douglas Root Beer Barrel restoration paperwork including:
Draft text and drawing for interpretive sign
Partnership agreement City of Douglas and SDHS
Foundation/Structural plans by Chuck Carlson, CKC Architect, Douglas, 18 Sep 2015
Budget estimate 3/5/2011
Restoration educational flyers
Photo of Mary McVoy (McKamy) 1955
Color laser-prints of historical photos of barrel and during restoration
Newspaper clippings 2011-2020
Rendering of a proposed barrel cover
“The Barrels - Root Beer Stands of the Upper Midwest” by Steven R. Hoffbeck, Minnesota History, fall 1993
Notes, meeting agendas, emails, draft texts
Original barrel menu card
Original paychecks from the barrel to Susan Wilson, 1968
Newspaper advertisements for the Barrel 1972, 1974 or undatedContext
The iconic barrel was dismissed as beyond saving and nearly demolished until community members came together to "Save the Barrel!" This collection was compiled by Vic Bella with additional material from James Schmiechen, Judy Hillman, Chris Yoder, Chuck Carlson, Duane Brown, Brent Birkholz, Dick Lyons, Eric Smith, Greg Harvath, Al Lyon, Sharon Kelly, Bob Sapita, Sally Winthers and "Friends of the Barrel."Collection
Historic PreservationCataloged By
Winthers, SallyAcquisition
Accession
2025.11Source or Donor
Bella, Victor "Vic"Acquisition Method
Donation, unconditionalLocation
Box
065 Landmarks: Root Beer Barrel, Felt Mansion, Baldhead Star, Palette SignRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Root Beer Barrel 1950-, Bella, Victor "Vic", Schmiechen, James A., Hillman, Judy, Yoder, Chris, Brown, Duane, Birkholz, Brent, Lyons, Thomas R. "Dick" 1956-2023, Smith, Eric, Harvath, Greg, Lyon, Alan, Kelly, Sharon, Winthers, Sally, McVoy, G. Earle 1915-1955, McVoy, Mary Leah, Sapita, Robert "Bob", Wiley, James "Jim" 1947-, Weener, Alan Jay "Al" 1951-, Krino, Andy, Lefevre, BillCreate Date
March 29, 2025Update Date
August 16, 2025
![Earle and Mary Leah McVoy - probably just prior to purchasing the Barrell - c 1953-54: 2/24/11 Chris, These are copies - hope they're useful. I do not need them returned Melinda [McVoy].](https://d8e7jbdw4fu0e.cloudfront.net/4124/b6223b73-0ceb-11f0-90ac-c56745d14a79-vU2pUh2.lg@2x.jpg)
