Refurbishing of buffalo being studied

Jamestown (CSi) The World’s Largest Buffalo in Jamestown may be getting some refurbishing, and improvements to lighting and landscaping.

On Tuesday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2 Jamestown Tourism Director, Searle Swedlund said over the next few months, a committee will study ideas, which are also welcome from the public.

The committee will consist of the Tourism Board, the Frontier Village Association and other organizations that will also consider a fundraising campaign.  The last time the buffalo underwent extensive renovations was in 2007.

Swedlund also pointed out the joint venture that produced successful, recent, Hogs & Rods event in downtown Jamestown, bringing in a number of tourists.

He added that White Cloud Days this week and weekend in Jamestown will also be a tourist attraction, including the parade, and new events taking place at the National Buffalo Museum grounds, including a carnival and booths set up.

White Cloud Birthday cookies will be served, and Frontier Village will also serve Buffalo Burgers. (More information and schedule of event of White Cloud Days, on line at CsiNewsNow.com)

From Hampton Hotel News:  In April 2000, Hampton Hotels launched ―Save-A-Landmark,‖ a campaign dedicated to refurbishing historical, fun and cultural landmarks that reside along North America‘s highways. Landmark refurbishments include painting, cleaning, replacing siding and doors, and landscaping, as well as other preservation and beautification efforts Hampton hotel volunteers can support. The program has provided hundreds of hours and more than $2.5 million toward the research, attention and preservation of America‘s roadside landmarks for future generations. According to a 2003 Travel Industry Association (TIA) study, there is continuing interest in ―travelers’ desire to experience cultural, arts, historic and heritage activities.‖ More than 80 percent of U.S. adults who traveled in the past year, or 118 million, are considered historic/cultural travelers

WORLD’S LARGEST BUFFALO (Jamestown, North Dakota) History: Weighing in at 60 tons, the World‘s Largest Buffalo is 26 feet tall, 46 feet long and cost nearly $8,500 to build in 1959. The colossal beast was created to give passersby a reason to stop in Jamestown, but it’s not the only curious attraction the city offers it visitors. The Buffalo stands over the National Buffalo Museum, where a collection of art and artifacts portray the cultural and natural history of bison and the Great Plains; and Frontier Village, a western town that features an active trading post, saloon, souvenir shop, sheriff‘s office, jail and more (open to the public from Memorial Day to Labor Day). In addition, Frontier Village is the home to North America‘s only female albino buffalo named White Cloud.

Refurbishment Information: On June 19-20, 2007, nearly 15 Save-A-Landmark program volunteers worked closely with the Buffalo‘s original artist and sculptor, Elmer P. Petersen, to refurbish this giant. Volunteers scaled ladders and balanced high on a mechanical lift to refresh and make cosmetic changes to the 26-foot-tall beast – donating an estimated 100 hours of man-power. The Buffalo‘s mane was enhanced, its horns were lengthened and its paint job was upgraded – incorporating shading techniques and giving texture to the Buffalo‘s furry coat. As part of the restoration, Hampton contributed more than $16,000 to the Buffalo‘s ongoing care, ensuring that future generations of visitors will have the chance to stand in the shadow of this gigantic piece of Americana.