FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dee Linn
March 10, 2008
(701) 623-4355

EASTER EGG HUNT FUN AT CHATEAU DE MORES SITE MARCH 23

MEDORA – An Easter Egg hunt for children of all ages will take place at the Chateau de Mores State Historic Site in Medora Easter Sunday, March 23 beginning at 10 a.m., Mountain Time.  The event, which is free and open to the public, is sponsored by the State Historical Society of North Dakota and the Medora Chamber of Commerce.

The Easter Egg hunt will begin on the grounds of the Chateau de Mores at 10 a.m.  In order to ensure that the Easter Bunny has plenty of time to hide the eggs, parents are asked to provide a dozen eggs – already decorated – for each of their children who will be participating.  Eggs should be delivered to the AmericInn in Medora, beginning Thursday, March 20, at 12 noon through Saturday, March 22.  The motel is open 24 hours daily, and the eggs can be delivered anytime during this period.

Everyone is welcome to attend the event even if they do not have children participating.  Coffee, rolls, and juice will be provided on the porch of the Chateau.  In case of bad weather, the egg hunt will be moved to the AmericInn in Medora.

“The Easter Egg hunt at the Chateau is a long-standing tradition started by Harry Roberts, the first caretaker at the Chateau many years ago,” said Dee Linn, site supervisor at the Chateau de Mores State Historic Site.  “We’re pleased that the Medora Chamber of Commerce sponsors this event with the State Historical Society.”

The 128-acre De Mores State Historic Site interprets the enterprises of the Marquis de Mores, a proud and visionary French nobleman.  Managed by the State Historical Society of North Dakota, the site comprises three separate parts: the Chateau de Mores, located less than a mile from Medora; Chimney Park, on the west edge of Medora; and De Mores Memorial Park in downtown Medora.  Born June 14, 1858, the Marquis de Mores was from a family of Spanish, Italian and French nobility.  He came to Dakota Territory in 1883 to find fortune in the cattle industry.  He planned to slaughter range cattle at the town he named after his bride, Medora, then ship dressed meat east in refrigerated rail cars and provide urban consumers with a better quality product.  Investing millions in his dream, he built a packing plant, bought cattle and land and employed cowboys and workers.  He built the chateau as a summer home.   When his meat-packing plant project collapsed in 1886, his commercial empire did as well.  He left the United States, traveling to Europe and Asia during the next several years.  On June 9, 1896, five days short of his 38th birthday, he was killed in North Africa.

For more information, call the Chateau de Mores State Historic Site at (701) 623-4355.  For more about this site and the many others managed by the State Historical Society of North Dakota, visit the Society’s web site at www.nd.gov/hist.

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