The Big Picture

The Northern Great Plains is a pivotal landscape that has shaped the development and spirit of America, as well as our ecological diversity. American Prairie Foundation (APF) is exploring the human histories of the area as we create a unique prairie reserve. This endeavor will tell the stories of settlement and habitation, while seeking to honor the boldness and capture the spirit of all those who have made the Northern Great Plains their home.

Progress to Date

APF is committed to preserving the human history within the project area. Our first project has been the preservation and restoration of the Prairie Union School--just one piece of the area’s rich human story. This one-room schoolhouse was built in the 1930s to serve as a homestead cabin for a family living on the high plains. We interviewed a number of local residents, now in their 60s and 70s, who have contributed their memories of the school and allowed us to reconstruct its original appearance--right down to the placement of maps on the walls. With the help of Yellowstone Traditions the school was recently restored to its original condition and designated as a point of historical interest. APF is very grateful to the many donors and volunteers who made this restoration possible.

Next Steps

Through the next year, APF will restore the interior of the Prairie Union School and continue to record and document the history of the school through interviews with long-time residents of the area. Next, APF will research the abundant Native American history in and around the APF project area. This project will focus on how each tribe used the land, what places were and continue to be significant to their culture and preserving the importance of these cultural sites in the future.