August 1951 (age 52)

Sigurd spent much of August on a canoe trip, but the first nine days were busy indeed. He served as executive director of a Minnesota Historical Society committee in charge of organizing the dedication of Grand Portage National Historic Site (today called Grand Portage National Monument). The National Park Service and the Chippewa Indians at Grand Portage (located in the northeastern corner of Minnesota on Lake Superior) signed an agreement on Aug. 1, 1951, allowing the United States to administer Grand Portage Post and the nine-mile trail around the Pigeon River rapids as a National Historic Site. Aug. 9 was chosen as the date for dedication because on that day in 1842 Webester Ashburton treaty negotiations were completed. The treaty allowed citizens of both countries to use the portage trail without going through customs. There are still some remains of the old docks to be found there, but the stockade of the old Northwest Company Post has been rebuilt.

Sigurd (shown in a newspaper clipping photo at right speaking at the event) put out more than a thousand dollars by August 8, and was anxious for reimbursement. But probably more stressful for Sigurd was being in charge of a high-profile event that drew reporters from The New York Times and other national media from both the United States and Canada. Here's an excerpt from a letter he wrote to his friends Sam and Giny Campbell:

Yes, I am busy, very busy on this Grand Portage business, long distance calls, planning, Indians to maneuver into working at the village (they are a little alergic to all the excitement) and many other things. Just what will happen at the Dedication we are not quite sure as yet....The Canadians are working with the Hudson's Bay Co. of Winnipeg urging them to bring over a pageant with the original voyageur costumes. There might be some good Indian Dance teams if we can finance them, canoe races, etc.... The morning will be devoted to recreation hikes to historic spots, Indian Dances, old time square dances, possibly a girls' Kiltie Band from Fort William. At noon will be a luncheon inside the old dining hall and a stockade followed by the dedication ceremony at 2:00 P.M. It will be over by four.

August 1966 (age 67)

In his capacity as a paid consultant, Sigurd responded this month to two National Park Service draft reports: "National Park Wilderness Planning Procedures" and "National Park Service Wilderness Management Criteria." Here's an excerpt from his Aug. 21 letter to Park Service Director George Hartzog:

On the concept of Regional Planning, I am glad to see the idea stressed as it is bound to come more and more into the picture if NPS wilderness is really to be preserved. I could not help but wish however that some recognition could be given to the idea of using contiguous areas for campgrounds and even hotels rather than continuing their development within park borders. As our population rises and visitation this will have to be faced. If it isn't faced we might wind up with so many accommodations within our areas that the "Crown Jewels" of the system will deteriorate no matter what we do to hold the line. I know much thought has been given to this and I realize it is a touchy subject as far as other agencies are concerned but don't you think it would be worthwhile exploring the idea particularly as the US Forest Service is concerned. There has been much talk about integrating the national parks into adjacent areas using them in a sense as buffers and wilderness thresholds. Isn't it time to go beyond the talking stage to see what actually could be done in preparation for the vast visitation to come?