Kelliher Residents Document Water Tower, School Leads Photo Project

A community driven effort in Kelliher is documenting the town's historic water tower through a coordinated photo project that pairs school resources with local participation. The North Beltrami Heritage Center and Kelliher School are supporting the effort, which brings students from the Kelliher School fab lab together with community photographers to capture imagery of the landmark. Camera checkouts are available as part of the program to broaden access for residents who do not own photographic equipment.

The project will culminate in a gallery display at the Old School Center where top photographs selected from submissions will be exhibited. Small prizes will be awarded to the highest ranked images, creating a public incentive for creative participation and encouraging residents to view a familiar structure through new perspectives. The initiative is active on December 10, 2025 and is structured to engage a wide range of ages and skill levels in documenting local heritage.

By embedding the project within the school and the heritage center, organizers are creating an educational opportunity that extends beyond a single exhibition. Students gain hands on experience in photography and community history through the fab lab collaboration, while the heritage center benefits from contemporary visual records that may aid future preservation efforts. For residents, the project offers a tangible way to contribute to the towns visual archive, fostering a sense of ownership and connection to a prominent local landmark.

The partnership model also has implications for how small communities cultivate civic engagement and preserve historic assets with limited budgets. Shared resources such as camera checkouts and school facilities reduce barriers to participation and demonstrate a practical approach for other rural communities seeking to document and celebrate local history. The public display at the Old School Center presents an opportunity to attract visitors to downtown Kelliher and to prompt wider discussion about heritage conservation.

As images are collected and the exhibition is prepared, the project is likely to generate renewed interest in the water tower and in community led preservation efforts. Residents who wish to participate or view the final exhibit can contact the North Beltrami Heritage Center or Kelliher School for details about participation and viewing times.