Finding Minnesota: Terry Kubista's Basement Christmas Shire
MINNETONKA, Minn. (WCCO) -- Like all small towns do, Terry Kubista's village started with just a few homesteaders and a few houses.
Four-and-a-half decades later it has taken over his basement.
Urban sprawl has nothing on what's happened here.
There are now planes, trains, and automobiles, and the population has grown to over 1,000 residents.
"It's kind of like an amoeba," Kubista said. "It has a life of its own. Every year more houses appear and more people appear."
Kubista fell in love with the Christmas village displays in the early '70s, and has even built and painted many of the houses that sit in his village today.
But a lot of his work is more fact than fantasy.
"This is the room that's dedicated to my great grandparents, grandparents, mother and father," Kubista said.
His mom grew up in a shire in central England. So, one particular village is a tribute to early 20th century British history, as well as Kubista's British heritage.
The shire has become so popular that Kubista now gives tours around the holidays.
"Like Terry said, I'm sure some people just walk away saying, this man is totally daft," said Kubista's wife, Lynne.
During their 47 years of marriage, Lynne has watched her husband become quite the basement architect.
Years ago, she passed her own village ordinance that urban sprawl can't go beyond the basement. But Lynne can't hide her excitement when people line up to visit.
"It really is wonderful to see the joy it brings to other people," Lynne said.
In addition to being the urban planner and cleaner/street sweeper, Kubista also holds the title of Laird.
That is a term for a Scottish lord who owns land, and spends hours each day maintaining it.
"I wish they were the shoemaker's elves. I really do," Kubista said. "They would take care of themselves and be a lot less work."
There are occasional casualties, such as a towns member accidentally getting knocked over and losing a head while Kubista's cleaning.
But Kubista's goal is for people to walk away, not in awe of the present, but with an appreciation for the past.
"If I can pass it along to anyone who's willing to listen, then I've accomplished something because I've updated," Kubista said.
Kubista also teaches British history across the Twin Cities.
He says that occasionally people on tour will leave a figurine behind.
If you would like to visit Terry's shire, email this address: tkubista@q.com.
