FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Johnathan Campbell
January 26, 2012
701.328.9528
Bismarck - The Society for the Preservation of the Former Governors’ Mansion will be holding the Fourth Annual Arthur A. Link Fiddle Festival at the Former Governors’ Mansion on Saturday February 4, 2012. Fiddle and violin students from across North Dakota are invited to participate in this event that will begin at 12 Noon and continue to 4 p.m.
This family friendly festival is free and open to the public. Registration is not required to participate.
The Link Fiddle Festival will start with a few brief remarks from Mrs. Grac
Link and Bruce Hagen, president of the Society for the Preservation of the Former Governor’s Mansion. Performances by local elementary school orchestras will start immediately after the introductory remarks and will run between other performances during the afternoon. These students have been working on mastering pieces for several months, and this festival will give them an opportunity to perform them in front of an audience for the first time.
At 1 p.m., local musicians Kelly Kiemle on guitar and Aaron Hummert on violin, will give a brief performance of fiddle and old time music.
At 2 p.m. any student string musician throughout the region is welcome and invited to perform during the “open mic” section of the festival. The student can play any style or period of music. If a student is interested in performing during the informal “open mic”, please contact site supervisor Johnathan Campbell at 701.328.9528 or jcampbell@nd.gov so that time can be scheduled to allow everyone to participate.
The purpose of the Arthur A. Link Fiddle Festival is to promote Governor Link’s lifelong love of music and to provide an opportunity for music making in a fun and informal manner. Governor Link was a musician and violin player and met his wife, Grace, at a dance while he was playing violin in the band.
The Mansion will be open for the public to tour and light refreshments will be available throughout the afternoon.
The Former Governors’ Mansion State Historic Site is open year-round. Its winter hours, now in place through May 15, are the second Friday and Saturday of each month, from 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Groups are welcome to schedule a visit to the Former Governors’ Mansion at times other than its regular open hours by calling Site Supervisor Johnathan Campbell at 701.328.9528 or email at jcampbell@nd.gov.
The site consists of a large two and one-half story, restored Victorian house, and the restored 1903 carriage house. Built in 1884, it housed 20 chief executives of North Dakota between 1893 and 1960. Unique exhibits feature the restoration process, architectural style changes and furniture used by several governors. For schedule information, contact the State Historical Society at 701.328.2666 or visit the agency’s web site at www.history.nd.gov.
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Address:
612 East Boulevard Ave.
Bismarck, North Dakota 58505
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Hours:
Exhibit galleries and Museum Store: 8am - 5pm M-F; Sat. & Sun. 10am - 5pm.
State Archives: 8am - 4:30pm., M-F, except legal holidays, and 2nd Sat. of each month, 10am - 4:30 pm.
State Historical Society offices: 8am - 5pm M-F, except legal holidays.
Contact Us:
phone: (701) 328-2666
fax: (701) 328-3710
email: histsoc@nd.gov
