2024 Griggs Award Recipient
Mayor Brandon Bochenski presented the Alexander Griggs Award to Gregory A. Vettel, Snr at the August 5th Council meeting. The award is named for the City’s founder, Captain Alexander Griggs and recognizes exceptional personal effort to preserve Grand Forks’ built and cultural history.
Mr. Vettel’s selection recognizes his many contributions to preserving the city’s and county’s history through his activities as a former board member and president, and current volunteer with the Grand Forks County Historical Society which nominated him for this year’s award. He was instrumental in the restoration of the unique Lustron House now located at the Myra Museum, and is a member of the Antique Automobile Club which maintains the historic gas station also on that site.
Mr. Vettel is a retired exhibition coordinator and registrar for the ND Museum of Art and a longtime proponent of promoting historic preservation on the UND campus and throughout the City. Most recently, he played a key role in the creation and development of the Veteran’s Memorial Park. His expertise in art and design is well-illustrated in that Park’s Wall of Honor.
