EVELETH, Minn. (Northern News Now) – At the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, Iron Rangers banded together in support of keeping the museum in its original home of Eveleth.
RELATED: New discussions to move U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame from Eveleth to St. Paul
“When we were going down to state constantly, that’s what brought it all here,” said a resident who spoke at the event. “Our kids are playing hockey, wanting to play hockey, and striving to play hockey.”
More than a hundred residents showed up, including city and political leaders, to speak against those wanting to move it.
“This building was put here in 1973 because a plethora of legislators, city people, and community members came together saying ‘This is where this needs to be and this is the right location for it,” said Eveleth’s Mayor Adam Roen. “We’re just coming back together 50 years later to say we agree with everything they said and we’re going to stand behind it and support it as well.”
Members of the Hall of Fame board of directors have stated that relocating the museum would get more eyes on Minnesota hockey legends.
They said other sporting hall of fames see nearly 400,000 visitors a year, while the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame sees about 9,000.
Following the Senate’s 32-30 vote against an amendment authored by Minnesota District 3 DFL Senator Grant Hauschild on Friday, their reaction is that this is not a problem of partisanship but geography.
RELATED: Minnesota Senate denies amendment aimed at keeping U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in Eveleth
District 7 Senator Rob Farnsworth was the only republican to vote for the bill, but it could have passed if there had been more time to go over its language and work with his caucus.
“That vote, there were of course republicans voting against it, but Saint Paul Democratic senators voted against it because they want the hall in St. Paul,” said Farnsworth.
According to St. Louis County Commissioner Mike Jugovich, this is one of many scenarios where the Twin Cities restrict the Iron Range.
“This is an overreach by the metro trying to take something that’s ours, and I for one am sick of that. Is anybody else?” asked Jugovich.
“Our history can never truly leave this town because so much of it was made right here,” said Republican Representative Cal Warwas, and Eveleth resident Cal Warwas. “We are speaking out so that everyone knows how important our hockey heritage is to the Range.”
According to Hauschild, the plan to move the hall was not made public to “keep it in the shadows” because of the reaction it would garner.
But as he’s continued to state, the hall would need investment not only for the infrastructure but also from the community.
“It’s something we should tell the story about. Not just to other Minnesotans, because they get it right? Minnesotans are proud of hockey, but we need to show the nation that they can be proud of where hockey began, right here in Eveleth,” said Hauschild.
Residents were invited to speak, and those who did shared a similar message.
“What do they expect us to do when they take everything away from us and then say ‘you’re not doing enough?’ Well, maybe they should be doing more for us.”
In what seems to be only the beginning of this fight for the museum, locals will continue to voice their opinions.
“I think it’s just the tip of the iceberg for the number of people that are going to fight to keep this place here,” said Farnsworth.
The Museum’s Board Chair and Republican Senator Karin Housley voted against the amendment.
We reached out to her, but did not hear back by the publication of this article.
No changes will be made to the U.S. Hall of Fame Museum unless there’s a majority vote from the board, which is made up of people from across Minnesota, including the Iron Range.
Also Related: Fight to keep U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in Eveleth continues with rally Saturday
Click here to download the Northern News Now app or our Northern News Now First Alert weather app.
Copyright 2025 Northern News Now. All rights reserved.
Rally to keep U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in Eveleth held Saturday – Northern News Now
