The Minnesota Historical Society is pleased to announce that Oliver Kelley Farm's new visitor center has received LEED Gold certification.

 

The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, is the foremost program for buildings, homes and communities that are designed, constructed, maintained and operated for improved environmental and human health performance.

 

Completed in fall 2016, the new visitor center is part of a larger renovation and revitalization project at the Oliver Kelley Farm, which allows more visitors to learn about Minnesota agriculture and farming from the 1860s to today. The building achieved LEED certification for implementing practical and measurable strategies and solutions aimed at achieving high performance in: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

 

During construction, project staff worked to use regional materials and certified wood, as well as protect and restore the site area’s surrounding habitat. Building highlights include its geothermal heating and cool systems, fuel-efficient vehicle charging stations, and a stormwater system that captures and treats water runoff. The site was able to reduce its potable water use by 27 percent and achieve an energy cost savings of 41 percent.