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Cummington, Massachusetts

2025-08-04T05:17:35Z

2601:447:C601:360:1CD6:2D1E:DE01:8460: ce

{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name = Cummington, Massachusetts
|nickname =
|motto =
|image_skyline = William Cullen Bryant Homestead, Cummington, Massachusetts.JPG
|image_caption = William Cullen Bryant Homestead
|image_seal = Seal of Cummington, Massachusetts.png
|image_flag = Flag of Cummington, Massachusetts.png
|image_map = Hampshire County Massachusetts incorporated and unincorporated areas Cummington highlighted.svg
|mapsize = 250px
|map_caption = Location in [[Hampshire County, Massachusetts|Hampshire County]] in [[Massachusetts]]
|image_map1 =
|mapsize1 =
|map_caption1 =
|subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name = United States
|subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[Massachusetts]]
|subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Massachusetts|County]]
|subdivision_name2 = [[Hampshire County, Massachusetts|Hampshire]]
|established_title = Settled
|established_date = 1762
|established_title2 = Incorporated
|established_date2 = 1779
|established_title3 =
|established_date3 =
|government_type = [[Open town meeting]]
|leader_title = 
|leader_name =
|leader_title1 = 
|leader_name1 =
|area_magnitude =
|area_total_km2 = 59.7
|area_total_sq_mi =
|area_land_km2 = 59.3
|area_land_sq_mi =
|area_water_km2 = 0.3
|area_water_sq_mi =
|population_as_of = 2020
|settlement_type = [[New England town|Town]]
|population_total = 829
|population_density_km2 = auto
|population_density_sq_mi =
|elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_m =
|elevation_ft = 1519
|timezone = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]
|utc_offset = −5
|timezone_DST = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]
|utc_offset_DST = −4
|coordinates = {{Coord|42|27|42|N|72|53|40|W|region:US-MA_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|website = {{URL|www.cummington-ma.gov}}
|postal_code_type = [[ZIP Code]]
|postal_code = 01026
|area_code = [[Area code 413|413]]
|blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info = 25-16040
|blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info = 0618198<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|618198}}</ref>
|footnotes =
}}

'''Cummington''' is a [[New England town|town]] in [[Hampshire County, Massachusetts]], United States. The population was 829 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]],<ref name="Census 2020">{{cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0600000US2501516040| title=Census - Geography Profile: Cummington town, Hampshire County, Massachusetts| publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]| access-date=November 14, 2021}}</ref> a decline from 872, tabulated in 2010. It is part of the [[Springfield, Massachusetts]] [[Springfield metropolitan area, Massachusetts|Metropolitan Statistical Area]].

== History ==
Cummington was first settled in 1762 and officially incorporated in 1779. It was named after Colonel John Cumings, the original landholder.<ref>[http://www.cummington-ma.gov/History.php Town of Cummington - History]</ref>

The first [[Congregational church|Congregational Church]] minister was Reverend James Briggs of [[Norton, Massachusetts]], a graduate of [[Yale College]] around 1775.<ref>William W. Streeter and Daphne H. Morris, Editors, ''The Vital Records of Cummington, Massachusetts 1762-1900'' (Hartford, CT: William W. Streeter and D. H. Morris, 1979)</ref> Briggs was the son of Deacon James and Damaris (White) Briggs, and the husband of Anna Wiswall.

Several [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]] patriots are buried in Cummington, including Nathaniel Holbrook, Seth Wilder Sr., and Seth Wilder Jr.

Noted poet and newspaper editor [[William Cullen Bryant]] was born in Cummington, and returned for many years to summer there. His house is now preserved and open to the public as the [[William Cullen Bryant Homestead]]. The town hosts the Cummington Fair every August. The fair features many events, including adult and [[4-H]] exhibition halls, a craft barn, [[vaudeville]] stage, antique car parade, oxen pull, and an assortment of rides, games, and food stands.

The town was the subject of a 1945 documentary film, ''The Cummington Story'', about the welcome given to a group of European refugees.<ref>[[Arthur Knight (film critic)|Arthur Knight]]. ''The Liveliest Art: A Panoramic History of the Movies'', New York: Mentor, n.d. p. 254.</ref>

==Geography==
Cummington is in northwestern Hampshire County. It is bordered to the west by the towns of [[Peru, Massachusetts|Peru]] and [[Windsor, Massachusetts|Windsor]] in [[Berkshire County, Massachusetts|Berkshire County]], to the north by [[Plainfield, Massachusetts|Plainfield]] in Hampshire County, and to the northeast by [[Ashfield, Massachusetts|Ashfield]] in [[Franklin County, Massachusetts|Franklin County]]. To the east is the town of [[Goshen, Massachusetts|Goshen]], to the southeast is [[Chesterfield, Massachusetts|Chesterfield]], and to the south is [[Worthington, Massachusetts|Worthington]], all in Hampshire County.

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has an area of {{convert|59.7|km2|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|59.3|sqkm|order=flip}} are land and {{convert|0.3|sqkm|order=flip|1}}, or 0.56%, are water.<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/0600000US2501516040| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Cummington town, Hampshire County, Massachusetts| work=American Factfinder| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| access-date=August 8, 2017| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213160521/https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/0600000US2501516040| archive-date=February 13, 2020| url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Westfield River]] (sometimes called the East Branch) flows through Cummington. [[Massachusetts Route 9]] runs through the town, following the Westfield River for most of its way. Route 9 leads southeast {{convert|20|mi}} to [[Northampton, Massachusetts|Northampton]] and west {{convert|22|mi}} to [[Pittsfield, Massachusetts|Pittsfield]]. [[Massachusetts Route 112]] leads west, then south, {{Convert|21|mi}} to [[Huntington, Massachusetts|Huntington]].

The mineral [[cummingtonite]] was first found in this town and was named after it.<ref>http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/cummingtonite.pdf Handbook of Mineralogy, 2001, Mineral Data Pub.</ref><ref>http://www.mindat.org/min-1170.html Mindat data</ref>

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations | type=USA | align=left | state=collapsed
| 1850|1172
| 1860|1085
| 1870|1037
| 1880|881
| 1890|787
| 1900|748
| 1910|637
| 1920|489
| 1930|531
| 1940|608
| 1950|620
| 1960|550
| 1970|562
| 1980|657
| 1990|785
| 2000|978
| 2010|872
| 2020|829
| 2022*|818
| footnote=* = population estimate. {{Historical populations/Massachusetts municipalities references}}<ref>{{cite web | title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020−2022| publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] | access-date=November 24, 2023 | url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html}}</ref>
}}
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 978 people, 382 households, and 239 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|42.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 452 housing units at an average density of {{convert|19.6|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the town was 96.42% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.61% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.41% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.31% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.51% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.74% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 3.27% of the population.

There were 382 households, out of which 24.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.77.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 27.9% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $42,250, and the median income for a family was $48,750. Males had a median income of $31,765 versus $27,279 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $21,553. About 4.2% of families and 6.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 5.7% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

==Education==
Cummington is part of the [[Central Berkshire Regional School District]], along with [[Becket, Massachusetts|Becket]], [[Dalton, Massachusetts|Dalton]], [[Hinsdale, Massachusetts|Hinsdale]], [[Peru, Massachusetts|Peru]], [[Washington, Massachusetts|Washington]], and [[Windsor, Massachusetts|Windsor]]. Elementary school students attend Craneville School, middle school students attend Nessacus Regional Middle School, and high school students attend [[Wahconah Regional High School]].

==Government==
The town is part of the First Hampshire District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, and the Berkshire, Hampden, Franklin, and Hampshire Senate district.

==Points of interest==
* [[William Cullen Bryant Homestead]]
* [[Greenwood Music Camp]]

==Notable people==
* [[William Cullen Bryant]], poet
* [[Katherine Frazier]], musician and arts administrator
* [[Sergei Isupov]], artist
* [[Rachel Maddow]], MSNBC host
* [[Zalmon Richards]], educator
* [[William Jay Smith]], poet
* [[Worcester Reed Warner]], engineer
* [[Alan Weisman]], author
* [[Richard Wilbur]], poet
* [[Michael Bono]], guitarist

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.cummington-ma.gov Official Site]
* [http://www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc/mhcpdf/townreports/CT-Valley/cum.pdf ''MHC Survey Reconnaissance Town Report: Cummington''] Massachusetts Historical Commission, 1982.

{{Hampshire County, Massachusetts}}
{{Massachusetts}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cummington, Massachusetts| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Hampshire County, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Springfield metropolitan area, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1762]]
[[Category:Towns in Massachusetts]]

Kasson, Minnesota

2025-08-04T02:46:01Z

2601:447:C601:360:1CD6:2D1E:DE01:8460: ce

{{short description|City in Minnesota, United States}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name = Kasson
|settlement_type = [[City]]
|nickname =
|motto = "We're Ready For You"


|image_skyline = Kasson, Minnesota.jpg
|imagesize =
|image_caption = [[U.S. Route 14 in Minnesota|US-14]] and [[Minnesota State Highway 57|MN-57]] junction in town
|image_flag =
|image_seal =


|image_map = Dodge_County_Minnesota_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Kasson_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize = 250px
|map_caption = Location of Kasson<br />within [[Dodge County, Minnesota|Dodge County]] and state of [[Minnesota]]
|image_map1 =
|mapsize1 =
|map_caption1 =


|subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name = United States
|subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[Minnesota]]
|subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Minnesota|County]]
|subdivision_name2 = [[Dodge County, Minnesota|Dodge]]


|government_footnotes =
|government_type =
|leader_name =
|leader_title1 =
|leader_name1 =
|established_title =
|established_date =


|unit_pref = Imperial
|area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_27.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=July 24, 2022}}</ref>
|area_magnitude =
|area_total_km2 = 7.88
|area_land_km2 = 7.88
|area_water_km2 = 0.00
|area_total_sq_mi = 3.04
|area_land_sq_mi = 3.04
|area_water_sq_mi = 0.00


|population_as_of = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes =
|population_total = 6851
|population_density_km2 = 869.96
|population_density_sq_mi = 2252.88


|timezone = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
|utc_offset = -6
|timezone_DST = CDT
|utc_offset_DST = -5
|elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft = 1263
|coordinates = {{coord|44|01|54|N|92|45|12|W|region:US-MN|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code = 55944
|area_code = [[Area code 507|507]]
|blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info = 27-32498<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
|blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info = 2395495<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2395495}}</ref>
|website = [http://www.cityofkasson.com/ www.cityofkasson.com]
|footnotes =
|pop_est_footnotes =
|pop_est_as_of =
|population_est =
}}

'''Kasson''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|æ|s|ə|n}} {{respell|KASS|ən}})<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ap.org/minnesota/prono.html |title=Minnesota Pronunciation Guide |website=[[Associated Press]] |access-date=July 4, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722194213/http://www.ap.org/minnesota/prono.html |archive-date=July 22, 2011 }}</ref> is a city in [[Dodge County, Minnesota|Dodge County]], [[Minnesota]], United States. The population was 6,851 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_PL_GCTPL2.ST13&prodType=table |work=American FactFinder |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=27 April 2011 }} {{dead link|bot=medic|date=April 2020}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Kasson is {{Convert|13|mi|km}} west of [[Rochester, Minnesota|Rochester]] along [[U.S. Route 14 in Minnesota|U.S. Highway 14]] and is one of the endpoints of [[Minnesota State Highway 57]]. The [[Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad]]'s main [[freight]] [[Railroad|rail]] line also runs through the city. Kasson shares a school system with nearby [[Mantorville, Minnesota|Mantorville]] (the "K–M Komets"). The K–M school system is a member of the Zumbro Education [[school district]] (ZED). Kasson is part of the [[Rochester, MN Metropolitan Statistical Area]].

==History==
According to [[Warren Upham]], superintendent of the [[Minnesota Historical Society]] from 1896 to 1934, the city of Kasson was incorporated on February 24, 1870, and again on April 22, 1916, separating from the township on March 21, 1917. The town was named after Jabez Hyde Kasson, owner of the original townsite.<ref>{{cite news|title=Where Did Minnesota Towns Get Names? Most Colorful in U.S. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1637298/minnesota_town_names/|newspaper=The Winona Republican-Herald|date=July 12, 1949|page=15|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|access-date = January 24, 2015 }} {{Open access}}</ref> Kasson was born on January 17, 1820, and moved to Minnesota in 1856. He settled on a farm in the township, and laid out the village along with others. The plat was recorded on October 13, 1865. It had a station of the [[Chicago and North Western Transportation Company]], and its post office opened in 1866.<ref>Upham, W. (2001). ''Minnesota Place Names: A Geographical Encyclopedia''. (p. 177). St. Paul, MN: Minnesota Historical Society Press.</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has an area of {{convert|3.00|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all land.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2012-11-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112090031/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=January 12, 2012 }}</ref> Kasson is {{Convert|15|mi|km}} west of [[Rochester, Minnesota|Rochester]], and {{Convert|3|mi|km}} south of [[Mantorville, Minnesota|Mantorville]].

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1870= 515
|1880= 1054
|1890= 992
|1900= 1112
|1910= 932
|1920= 1150
|1930= 1019
|1940= 1230
|1950= 1353
|1960= 1732
|1970= 1883
|1980= 2827
|1990= 3514
|2000= 4398
|2010= 5931
|2020= 6851
|align-fn=center
|footnote=[https://web.archive.org/web/20060208103743/http://www.census.gov:80/prod/www/abs/decennial/ U.S. Decennial Census]
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-11-13}}</ref> of 2010, there were 5,931 people, 2,224 households, and 1,569 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1977.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 2,340 housing units at an average density of {{convert|780.0|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 96.0% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.4% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.3% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.5% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 1.2% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.6% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] people of any race were 4.2% of the population.

There were 2,224 households, of which 41.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 29.5% were non-families. 25.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.18.

The median age in the city was 33.1 years. 31.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29.7% were from 25 to 44; 21% were from 45 to 64; and 11.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.6% male and 51.4% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 4,398 people, 1,678 households, and 1,179 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|2,170.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,711 housing units at an average density of {{convert|844.4|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 97.29% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.39% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.02% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.50% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 1.41% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.39% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] people of any race were 2.30% of the population.

There were 1,678 households, out of which 40.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.7% were non-families. 24.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 30.4% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 17.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $49,022, and the median income for a family was $55,880. Males had a median income of $36,045 versus $25,810 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $19,249. About 2.5% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 3.5% of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over.

==Government==
The City of Kasson has a city council/city administrator form of government with a mayor and four city council members.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cityofkasson.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=%7B68427B12-ED74-4AAC-A30F-18CF8D39B060%7D |title=City of Kasson, Minnesota -- City Council and Commissions |access-date=2010-01-31 |archive-date=2010-07-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100723195804/http://www.cityofkasson.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=%7B68427B12-ED74-4AAC-A30F-18CF8D39B060%7D |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Two council members and the mayor are elected every two years via a citywide vote. Among its primary duties, the City Council makes laws, sets policies, adopts budgets and oversees a wide-ranging agenda for the community. The City Administrator is appointed by the City Council to implement these initiatives. This official heads the administrative branch of city government and directs all city operations, projects, and programs.

Various advisory boards and commissions provide information and make recommendations to the City Council. These include the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Park & Recreation Commission, the Economic Development Authority, and the Library Board.

==Historic 1918 Kasson Public School==
[[Image:Kasson Public School.jpeg|thumb|left|[[Kasson Public School]]]]
Due to efforts of Kasson's nonprofit historic preservation group Kasson Alliance for Restoration (KARE),<ref>[http://www.kassonalliance.org/index.html Kasson Alliance for Restoration (KARE)]</ref> the 2012-era [[Kasson Public School]] building has been placed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]. Kasson's elementary and high school students began using the building on December 5, 1918.<ref>''Dodge County Republican'', December 5, 1918.</ref> The school's nomination to the National Register<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/weekly-list-2007-national-register-of-historic-places.pdf| url-status = live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080119055741/http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/listings/20071214.HTM| archive-date = 2008-01-19| title = National Register of Historic Places Listings}}</ref> was approved on December 6, 2007.

The school joins the Jacob Leuthold Jr. House,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/mn/Dodge/state.html|title=National Register of Historical Places - MINNESOTA (MN), Dodge County}}</ref> the Eureka Hotel,<ref>[http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/mn/Dodge/state.html Eureka Hotel]</ref> the Kasson Municipal Building,<ref>[http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/mn/Dodge/state.html Kasson Municipal Building]</ref> and the Kasson Water Tower<ref>1895 [http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/mn/Dodge/state.html Kasson Water Tower]</ref> on the list of Kasson's buildings on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].
[[Image:WaterTower2006KassonMN.JPG|thumb|upright|Kasson Water Tower in 2006 (built 1895)]]

KARE<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kassonalliance.org/news.htm |title=KARE News |website=www.kassonalliance.org |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080314141430/http://www.kassonalliance.org/news.htm |archive-date=14 March 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and the City of Kasson<ref>[http://www.cityofkasson.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={3B7755B3-CCA8-454B-94AD-1E3FEB8B64FA} City of Kasson]</ref> co-sponsored a Historic Properties Reuse Study to investigate ways to use the Kasson Public School building.<ref>Grossman, Laura. [http://news.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=2&a=356611 "City, preservationists reach agreement on Kasson's old elementary school"] {{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, ''Rochester Post-Bulletin'', August 15, 2008. </ref> The Reuse Study Report was published in October 2009. A citizen task force formed in November 2009 and began meeting in January 2010 to investigate the [[adaptive reuse]]s options the report outlined, which included a survey distributed to all of Kasson's 5,000 citizens. 581 citizens responded. In May 2010, the Task Force presented the survey results to the City Council. 58% of the respondents favored rehabilitating or reusing the school. At an August 2010 city council meeting, Mayor Tim Tjosaas asked the council to form a Library Building Committee (LBC) composed of citizen volunteers; this was approved. The LBC began meeting in September 2010.

In February 2011, the LBC announced that it had met with Deb Parrott of the engineering and architecture firm Widseth, Smith, Nolting and Associates. Parrott, who has experience with library design, was asked to prepare three library design proposals for the historic school, as follows: total rehabilitation of the 1918 school building; a partial or modified rehabilitation of the school building; and a completely new structure on the existing building's general footprint (after demolition of the 1918 school). KARE rejected all three proposals and the building sits vacant to this day.

==Festival==
Kasson is known for its annual Festival in the Park<ref>[http://www.cityofkasson.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={5AB5639B-6C38-4F88-9109-D832B98D030B} Festival in the Park]</ref> celebration in August, a volunteer-organized weekend with events celebrating the town's heritage and bringing community members together. The festival began in 1991 and has grown over the years, including traditional events like a parade, a fireworks display, and the "Miss Kasson" ceremony, which was recently changed to "Kasson Ambassador", allowing men to take part. More recent events include a bellyflop contest, an eating contest, and a musical showcase. The festival takes place the second weekend in August at the North Park.

==Notable people==
* [[Philip S. Duff]], Minnesota state legislator and newspaper editor
* [[Alfred M. Falkenhagen]], Minnesota state legislator and farmer
* [[Peg Lynch]], radio and early television personality; raised in Kasson

== See also ==

* [[Kasson Public Library]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[http://www.cityofkasson.com/ City of Kasson, Minnesota official website]
*[http://www.kassonalliance.org/ Kasson Alliance for Restoration (KARE)]
*[http://www.kassonfestivalinthepark.com/ Kasson Festival in the Park]

{{Dodge County, Minnesota}}
{{RochesterMSA}}

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[[Category:Cities in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Cities in Dodge County, Minnesota]]
[[Category:Rochester metropolitan area, Minnesota]]