Ben Strand/ Winonan

Winona State University recently acquired the historical Laird-Norton Co. building as a gift to the university to recognize the history and roots of the company.

The company approached the university in 2013 about potentially gifting the building according to Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services Scott Ellinghuysen.

Because the building has been around since the mid 1800s, with the architecture a key component, the company gifted it with hopes that Winona State could help in preserving the building and its history.

“The university could use the space and is also interested in partnering with Laird Norton and the city to preserve this beautiful building,” Ellinghuysen said.

He also said the additional space the building provides will be used for art related programs, the WSU foundation art gallery space and a space for public use.

The building must undergo renovations the building before it is opened for use, Ellinhuysen said, buit is unknown how long this will take.

“We will be hiring a design firm to help us develop final plans and estimate construction costs,” Ellinghuysen said.

Laird-Norton Co. has a long history in Winona, according to the Minnesota Historical Society. Brothers William, Matthew and John Laird started the company as a lumber retailing partnership in 1855.

In 1856 they partnered with cousins Matthew and James Norton to become a lumber manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer and was formally “incorporated” in 1883 as Laird-Norton Co.

After serving as the headquarters of the company for many years, the headquarters moved to Seattle in the 1950s. The Winona building continued to serve as headquarters for Laird-Norton’s line yard companies until merging in 1961 into the Winona-based United Building Centers.