Center of the American Experiment loses headquarters to fire

(Golden Valley, Minn.) — The headquarters for a regional think tank has been destroyed by fire last week.

John Hinderaker, President of the Center of the American Experiment, with its headquarters in Golden Valley, Minn., and a North Dakota branch, based in Fargo, said the fire happened at around 2 a.m. last Sunday. The Center’s fire was not the only one in the building, as a separate fire was set in the Upper Midwest Law Center, which is located on the third floor of the building. TakeCharge MN, an organization run by Kendall and Sheila Qualls, is located on the first floor along with the Center of the American Experiment.

Hinderaker said arsonists broke into the building and started the fire in the corridor of the first floor, between the Center of the American Experiment and TakeCharge’s offices.

“I think they were hoping to get two for the price of one there,” he said. “Obviously, these people were targeting conservative organizations.”

Hinderaker said he’s working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to find the suspect or suspects that caused the fires.

As for the work of the Center of the American Experiment, Hinderaker said all staff members are working remotely until alternative office space can be found.