Press Release - Annual Ice Cream Social to be held at Former Governors' Mansion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 5, 2014
Contact: Johnathan Campbell
701.328.9528

Annual Ice Cream Social to be held at Former Governors’ Mansion

Bismarck – Family entertainment, refreshments, and self-guided tours of the Former Governors’ Mansion State Historic Site at 320 East Avenue B, Bismarck, will be among attractions for visitors at the site’s annual Ice Cream Social on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014. The 2014 Ice Cream Social is an official North Dakota's 125th Anniversary sanctioned event.

The event, free and open to the public, is sponsored by the State Historical Society of North Dakota and the Society for the Preservation of the Former Governors’ Mansion. The public is encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. Children’s games will be available throughout the afternoon, including hula-hoops and bobbing for apples, as well as free hot dogs and ice cream cones.

Entertainment will begin at 12:30 p.m. with music by Bob Dolajak. Albert Landsberger will play the Steinway piano inside the mansion throughout the afternoon. At 1 p.m. Bruce Hagen, chairman of the Society for the Preservation of the Former Governors’ Mansion will give remarks and introduce visiting dignitaries. Following the remarks and dignitaries, former First Lady Grace Link will lead the dedication of the flag pole. The flag pole replicates one that stood on the east lawn of the mansion in the 1930s. At 2:15 p.m., North Dakota Troubadour Chuck Suchy will perform. At 2:45 p.m., BSC history professor Perry Hornbacher will give a talk on 125 years of statehood and the occupancy of the mansion. At 3:15 p.m., Family Folk will perform historic songs and dance. At 3:45 p.m., Stanley Wright and Gordy Patten will perform “Music of the North”. At 4:15 p.m. Bob Dolajak and Julie Ternes will play polka music. The afternoon will wrap up at 4:45 with Chuck Suchy. All times are approximate.

Visitors can also enjoy the restored carriage house. Restoration of the exterior of the building recreates its appearance in 1903. The building’s interior was rehabilitated to create an exhibit area and an ADA-accessible restroom. The featured exhibit, From Buckets of Oats to Quarts of Oil, represents a time of transition from the age of the horse and buggy to the era of the automobile.

In case of inclement weather, the program will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church at 502 N. Fourth Street. Additional parking will be available at Trinity Lutheran Church and St. George’s Episcopal Church at 601 N. Fourth Street.  
The Former Governors’ Mansion State Historic Site located at 320 E. Ave B in Bismarck and is open year-round. Admission is free. For more information call 701.328.9528 or email jcampbell@nd.gov.

Address:
612 East Boulevard Ave.
Bismarck, North Dakota 58505
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