Knife River Heritage & Cultural Center (KRHCC) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to engage the public in preserving, presenting, and valuing the history of the Knife River area. The organization was created in 2018 to save the historic railroad train depot from falling down. In just four years, KRHCC volunteers successfully rehabilitated the depot and have accomplished much more, including implementing an educational signage program.
Photo: Paul von Goertz
At one time, Knife River, Minnesota, was the busiest railroad town on the North Shore of Lake Superior because it was the only town where two railroads intersected. The community values its rich history and the native people who first settled on the land. In order to share the historical stories with visitors, KRHCC contacted Pannier to provide design assistance and manufacture four educational signage exhibits.
“The Pannier exhibits allow us to activate our educational program. Visitors can learn the history of Knife River from Native Americans, through commercial fishing, logging, and railroading. The interior of the depot is nearing completion, but until it can function as a 1900s depot, the educational signage provides a condensed overview of our history.” —Paul von Goertz, Executive Director, Knife River Heritage & Cultural Center
The Cantilevered exhibit base style and location of the signage were carefully considered. The four exhibits are chronologically arranged, so when passengers get off of a train, they are able to read the displays as they walk to the train depot. In doing so, passengers and visitors will gather key information and historical background, all before they visit the rest of the KRHCC site. Pannier’s vibrant Fiberglass Embedded panels securely fit into the Low Profile exhibit bases and will last for many years through Minnesota’s extreme season changes.
“I was very impressed by the Pannier website and representative projects shown. Pannier is a family-owned company located in Pennsylvania and they encompass what I perceived as ‘embracing traditional values,’ including making a quality product at a reasonable price. Pannier is one of the best signage companies I have ever worked with—skilled graphic designers, top workmanship, fabulous customer service, and price within our budget.” —Paul von Goertz, Executive Director, Knife River Heritage & Cultural Center
Installing educational signage at the Knife River Heritage & Cultural Center enhances each visitors’ perceptions of the historic town. By drawing attention to the area’s unique history and identity, visitors better appreciate the story of their hometown or a place they are visiting for the first time. Captivating and well-designed educational signage and exhibits can become destinations of their own.
For more information on Pannier’s outdoor signs, panels, exhibit bases, and frames, browse our website or fill out a contact form. We look forward to an opportunity to help you with your next signage project.
