Members of North Dakota's Heritage Center will host eight luncheons across the state starting Monday until the end of the month as they unveil the architectural designs for the center's $52.4 million expansion.

State Historical Society of North Dakota Director Merl Paaverud said the center's 97,000-square-foot expansion will include a new eastern entrance, new galleries and a 60-seat theater.

Members of the public can come see the expansion plans in Bismarck at noon Oct. 21 inside the center.

The Heritage Center is seeking state, federal and private money to fund the project, said Claudia Berg, the center's expansion coordinator.

"We'd like to raise $12 million in private funds and then also seek ($12 million in) federal funding as well," Berg said.

Paaverud said the expansion's future also will depend on what voters decide this fall regarding Measures 1 and 2.

"We're keeping our eye on the issues that are on hand," Paaverud said. "The tax issue as well as the oil fund and how those come out and we'll see if we can be in the executive budget."

State Sen. Bob Stenehjem, R-Bismarck, said it will be an uphill battle for the Heritage Center to get all its funding next session, especially if it doesn't make the governor's budget.

"There have been so many proposals with things that we should do," Stenehjem, the Senate majority leader, said. "We've more than spent the $1.2 billion (surplus)."

Paaverud said the center has planned on expanding for years adding the state's oil boom presents an opportunity to do so.

"We need it because of space issues and presentation," he said. "People are always hoping to see more of our collections."

For more information go to www.statehistoricalfoundation.com.

(Reach reporter Brian Duggan at 223-8482 or brian.duggan@bismarcktribune.com.)