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By Letteracy Deck President and Chief Curiosity Officer Anne Brataas - June 16, 2025

Come celebrate the newest addition to Grand Marais’ public letter writing park, Letteracy Deck, with the opening of its Fairy Library and Post Office on the Letteracy Deck behind the Cook County History Museum. Stationery supplies, stamps and refreshments will be available from noon to 1 p.m. Monday, June 16. All for the donation of one post card you write and mail—to anyone, anywhere in the world!

Screen-free Connection & Reflection

Letteracy Deck is part of the applied literacy mission of Minnesota Children’s Press based in Grand Marais. Executive  Director Anne Brataas describes it this way: “People visit Grand Marais to be with Lake Superior. It’s that simple and that profound—they make a water pilgrimage. We help them do it, free of charge. We started Letteracy Deck in 2023 as an opportunity for families to put down phones, tablets and laptops and be screen-free on the shores of Lake Superior while they reflect, connect and write and draw letters by hand. We give them every thing they need, at no cost. We even take the stamped letters to the post office for them.” 

Two Sites

For the first time, two locations of Letteracy Deck will be open and staffed: on the harbor deck of Lake Superior Trading Post which it its original location,  and on the bay deck behind  the Cook County History Museum. 

“Our new two-site model means there will be Letteracy Deck service available every day in at least one location from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Thursdays-Saturdays both decks are staffed and we’re already seeing the volume boost that generates,” Anne said. In the first 3-day weekend, she mailed 103 cards and letters each day.

 In its first two summers, Letteracy Deck mailed about 4,000 postcards and letters to recipients near and far, providing free stamps anywhere in the world. Most were written by tourists of all ages. But residents are welcome to write, draw and mail, too. This season Letteracy Deck aims to post 7,000 pieces of mail by October 15, 2025.

Thanks to Generous Sponsors

Since its beginning,  Letteracy Deck has been sponsored with the generous support of the Blandin Foundation of Grand Rapids, the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB), Grand Marais Lions Club, Lake Superior Trading Post, Cook County History Museum, Cook County Whole Foods Co-op, First and Second Thrift Store, Odds ‘n Edds Thrift Store, Minnesota Children’s Press and many generous contributions from the public, residents and family foundations. To make a charitable donation to the 501 (C)(3) non-profit Minnesota Children’s Press that operates Letteracy Deck, contact [email protected]

Fairy Craft 

Built by local craft artisan Dave Steckelberg and commissioned by Story Scouts Children’s Publishing Club—and paid for by proceeds from sales of their books--the cedar log Fairy Library and Post Office now is open for wee correspondence and welcomes well-wishing large and small.