Museums and historic sites published July 28, 2021
Jul. 30—Kandiyohi County Historical Society
Willmar, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, closed holidays, $3 for adults, ages 12 and under and Kandiyohi County Historical Society members admitted for free, 320-235-1881, located at the train engine on North Business Highway 71 across from Robbins Island. The museum has a number of featured exhibits. Along with the museum there is a one-room school, a log shed and a Great Northern locomotive. Maps of county historical sites are available at the museum. http://www.kandiyohicountyhistory.com/
Summer open house: Aug. 3, 1 to 3 p.m., opening of our new exhibit, "150 Things for 150 Years! Kandiyohi County 1870-2020," and the official opening of the Kaffe Fest Coffee Pot.
Rail Road Days: Sept. 18, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sept. 19, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; $20 individuals, $35 family pass, for both days. The Kandiyohi County Historical Society will be open for tours, a living history hobo camp, music, and fun railroad activities for big and little kids. The Willmar Community Center will have a Rail Fair vendor show for railroad enthusiasts, presentations on the railroad history in Willmar and lunch both days. On Sunday there will be a bus tour in the afternoon of the Willmar and railroad area. This is a separate ticket for $10 per person and is available on the website.
Sperry House: The Sperry House will be open for guided tours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays through Sept. 4. Advance registration is required; call or email to sign up. Cost is $3 per person, members are free. Open by appointment during the week.
Guri Endreson site: The Guri Endreson site, located off County Road 5, the field road gate is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Guided tours available by appointment.
Atwater Area Historical Society
Atwater, by appointment, call Carol at 320-266-7626, Jon at 320-444-0337, Sue at 320-220-0970 or Jo at 320-295-1354, Atwater Area Historical Society and Museum, 500 Pleasant Ave. W.
Chippewa County Historical Society
The Chippewa County Historical Society will have several sites open for the summer. Admission prices vary. For more information or to make appointments call 320-269-7636, email chippewahistory@outlook.com or web site www.chippewacohistory.org.
Chippewa City: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 1 to 5 p.m. weekends and holidays through Labor Day; junction of state Highway 7 and U.S. Highway 59 in Montevideo; re-creation of a turn-of-the-century town with 23 buildings and two very old dugout canoes. The Chippewa River Dugout Canoe, carbon dated to between 1436 and 1522, is in the Gateway Building and the Minnesota River dugout canoe, carbon dated to between 1626 and 1679, is in the Gippe Cabin. Admission adults $5, ages 6-17 $2, and 5 and under will be admitted free.
Olof Swensson Farm Museum: 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 5, or by appointment; six miles east of Montevideo on state Highway 7, then five miles south on County Road 6 to the junction with County Road 15. The 17-acre farmstead features a 22-room house, timber frame barn and the remains of a gristmill. Admission adults $5, ages 6-17 $2, 5 and under will be admitted free.
Lac qui Parle Mission: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through Sept. 6. Visitors can ring the church bell, echoing the sound of the original, traditionally known as the first church bell in Minnesota; six miles north of Montevideo on U.S. Highway 59 and 2.2 miles west on County Road 13; free admission. The Lac qui Parle Mission is a Minnesota Historical Society historic site operated by the Chippewa County Historical Society.
Danube Historical Society
The Danube Historical Society Museum is open from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Fridays in the former Danube Depot Building or by appointment, call 320-212-2877.
Dassel History Center
Dassel, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dassel History Center, 901 First St. N. To visit, call 320-275-3077 or email dahs@dassel.com to make an appointment.
Fagen Fighters WWII Museum
Granite Falls, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, Lenzen-Roe Memorial Airport, 3 miles south of Granite Falls on Highway 23; adults $10, ages 10-17 $5, family $20, active military $5, ages 9 and under admitted free, annual memberships available. Home to a pristine collection of fully operational, active aircraft and vehicles from World War II along with fine art, bronze sculptures, interactive multimedia displays, and a library. It is designed as a self-guided experience.
GAR and Meeker County Museum
Litchfield, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, $3 admission, ages 11 and under free; Grand Army of the Republic Hall and Meeker County Historical Society Museum, 308 Marshall Ave., 320-693-8911, meekercomuseum.org.
Grove City Historical Museum
Grove City, open by appointment, call Dorothy 320-693-9140, Ron 320-693-2922, or Gordon 320-857-2636.
Lac qui Parle County Museum
Madison, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday-Friday; South Highway 75; freewill donation. Social distancing rules will be observed, masks required (provided if needed) and no touching of artifacts.
Maynard History Museum
Maynard, open by appointment, call the Maynard city office at 320-367-2140.
Norway Lake Log Church
New London, 7:15 p.m. Saturdays, through Aug. 11, vespers service followed by social hour, west of New London off County Road 40 on 99th St. N.W. or by appointment, call 320-905-1539. The summer festival program will be at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 15, followed by coffee and lefse.
Paynesville Area Historical Museum
Paynesville, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, through Labor Day, 251 Ampe Drive; freewill donation.
Raptor Ridge
New London, open by appointment, call 320-354-8820, 12050 Co. Rd. 40 N.E. Larry and Barb Levin's natural history museum is located on County Road 40, 2.8 miles east of state Highway 23 on the north side of the road. Admission is free.
Renville County Historical Society
Morton, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, research library by appointment only; adults $5, ages 6-17 $3, children 5 and under free. Face masks required. For more information or for a library appointment call 507-697-6147, or email info@renvillecountyhistory.com, website www.renvillecountyhistory.com.
Renville City Museum
Renville, open by appointment, Main Street; 320-329-8210.
Sacred Heart Area Museum
Sacred Heart, 1:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays, by appointment only, U.S. Highway 212 in Sacred Heart; free admission, donations appreciated, contact Sonja at 320-765-2274 or Elaine at 320-894-7907; email shahs@hcinet.net.
Schwanke's Museum
Willmar, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, through Oct. 31, or by appointment, 3310 Business Highway 71 S.; features roadway and farm field history, more than 300 tractors, cars, trucks and fire trucks; gift shop; adults $6, under 12 are $3, 5 and under admitted free; 320-235-4341.
Swift County
Benson, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, or by appointment, 2135 Minnesota Ave.; free admission; 320-843-4467.
Stevens County Historical Museum
Morris, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, Saturday by appointment, 116 6th St. W.; free admission; 320-589-1719. The walking tours take about an hour to walk the full path; please stay on the sidewalk and do not enter private property.
Walking Tour, west side of Morris: brochure located in the plastic box outside of Nevada Avenue entrance, bike or walk the route stopping at 10 locations and read the history about each building/home.
Walking Tour of Hancock: brochure/map available at the Hancock City Office, bike or walk the route stopping at 10 locations listed.
Yellow Medicine County Museum
Granite Falls, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, through Sept. 1, junction of Minnesota highways 23 and 67 on the Minnesota River. For more information call 320-564-4479.
