Trial begins in Minot in dispute over museum on fairgrounds

MINOT, N.D. – Trial is underway in a yearslong dispute over whether a pioneer village museum can be evicted from the North Dakota State Fairgrounds in Minot.

The Minot Daily News reports the civil trial began Tuesday at the Ward County Courthouse and is expected to last the rest of the week.

The State Fair Association wants to use the Pioneer Village Museum property for another purpose. The Ward County Historical Society defends the museum’s right to stay under a 1966 agreement.

The dispute began more than four years ago. Judge Rhonda Ehlis has called it complex and emotionally charged. The state Legislature earlier declined to intervene.

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Information from: Minot Daily News, http://www.minotdailynews.com