The new Welcome Center opened to the public one year after the first timber was cut for the building. All photos by Laura Durenberger-Grunow. 

By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - September 25, 2024


One year after cutting the first piece of timber, the North House Folk School Welcome Center opened to the public. Replacing the "Little Yellow House" on the North House campus, the new multi-level building is home to a classroom, administrative offices, the school store, and more. And yes, the plan is to paint the building yellow.

The project began in September 2023 as part of North House Folk School's Framing the Future campaign. For six weeks after that first cut, North House instructors Tom Healy and Peter Henrikson guided 16 volunteers each week as they cut the white pine timbers used as the building's timber frame. 

 The timber frame progress as of mid-November 2023. 

For the next year, drivers and pedestrians traveling along Highway 61 watched the building construction as it progressed. And on Thursday, September 19, it was open with a community open house celebration with cake, music, and local artisans, along with Crooked Spoon Food Truck and a joint effort with TABLA Bake Lab and Crybaby Pies. Beverages were available from North Shore Winery, Lady Superior NA Bottle Shop, Voyageur Brewing, and Fulton Brewing. 

 The new Welcome building on September 19, 2024.

After the community celebration, night one of North House Folk School's annual music festival, Unplugged, kicked off with acoustic performances from Duluth-based The Penny Peaches and Toronto-based Great Lake Swimmers. 

As for the original, iconic "Little Yellow House," it lives on thanks to North House volunteer and Grand Marais resident Dave Walter. The building, as it stood at North House, was, quite literally, slowly ripping in half due to the foundation shifting in opposite directions. Walter had purchased a small plot of land along County Road 7 with the intent to build a medium or long-term rental for local families. Instead, he was able to work with a moving company to transport the house from North House to its current location. 

The iconic Little Yellow House was moved in September 2023 to its new location on County Road 7. 

The iconic Little Yellow House was moved in September 2023 to its new location on County Road 7. 

 Crosby Bakery carrot cake and coffee were served to visitors as they entered the new Welcome building. 

 The expanded school store is filled with books, class supplies, and items from local artists/makers. 

 Administrative staff offices are housed in the central part of the building. 

 Staff offices surround a small kitchenette area in the center of the building.

 A small balcony off the back of the building provides a view of the Grand Marais Harbor. 

 The top level housed an artisan craft market filled with local vendors. 

 The Crooked Spoon Food Truck offered tasty items for hungry visitors. 

In a joint effort, Tabitha Blanchard of TABLA Bake Lab and Kirsten Wisniewski of Crybaby Pies offered many baked goods for visitors to enjoy. 

 In a joint effort, Tabitha Blanchard of TABLA Bake Lab (left) and Kirsten Wisniewski of Crybaby Pies (right) offered many baked goods for visitors to enjoy. 

 Evelyn Coffin (left) and Abby Tofte (owner, right) of Lady Superior NA Bottle Shop offered non-alcoholic beverages during the event. North Shore Winery, Voyageur Brewing, and Fulton Brewing also had beverages available for visitors to enjoy. 

 North House Folk School Executive Director Greg Wright addresses the crowd before the concert began on night one of Unplugged. 

 Sisters Hattie and Grace Peach of The Penny Peaches serenaded the crowd with their harmony-filled songs.

 The evening finished with a performance by the Toronto-based band Great Lake Swimmers, who share a love of Lake Superior with many in attendance.  

To learn more or visit the North House Folk School campus and new Welcome Center, visit the website here.