Historical Society Delays Decision, Welk’s Boyhood Home

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP Oct 11, 2013) – North Dakota’s State Historical Society has delayed a decision on whether to buy the boyhood home of the famous bandleader Lawrence Welk.
 
     The society’s board wants more time to seek legal advice on how it can buy the six-acre property in Strasburg, and to gauge the willingness of state lawmakers to fund operating costs in coming years.
 
     The Legislature earlier this year included $100,000 in the Historical Society budget to buy the property, but lawmakers stipulated that repairs must be made before the purchase.
 
     State Sen. Robert Erbele says area residents are willing to invest hundreds of hours in making repairs and in keeping the site operating until the 2015 Legislature meets.
 
     The site is owned by Welk’s nieces, Evelyn and Edna Schwab. Evelyn says the delay is a letdown.

Previously…

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — An owner of Lawrence Welk’s boyhood home in the south-central North Dakota town of Strasburg says an engineering study may kill the sale of the property to the state.

Documents obtained by The Associated Press show that a state assessment says the famous bandleader and TV host’s birthplace needs more than $580,000 in repairs.

Welk’s nieces, Evelyn and Edna Schwab, own the property. Evelyn Schwab has not seen the state study but fears it could be a “deal-killer.”

The Legislature this year included $100,000 in the state Historical Society’s budget for the purchase of the property. The group tabled the purchase until it had more information on repair and maintenance costs.

The group is slated to meet next week to make a decision on the purchase.