Polk County
Polk
County Historical Society
The
Polk County Historical Society has been collecting and preserving the
inspiring story of the people of
Polk
County for about 75 years. Books, pamphlets, newspapers, maps,
pictures and other object have been collected. The museum’s authentic
exhibits show how Valley pioneers lived, the tools and implements they
worked with, the clothes they wore, the utensils and furnishings they
used in their homes and countless other articles related to other
aspects of their lives. The museum was located at the old McKinley
School for fifteen years and in 1976 was moved to its present location,
(the former Glendenning building) on the east side of Crookston.
The main
museum, a large modern structure, contains a well furnished kitchen,
living room and bedroom, a general store, doctor’s office, barbershop,
communications center (telephone and switchboard center), a 50 year old
model electric train, musical instruments. Here too stands a square
piano made in
Boston, and an amusing assortment of ladies hats.
Antique tools, and many old records, including newspaper on microfilms
dating back to the early 1900’s, cemetery locations and names of
persons buried there. There is also a chapel with a composite of
furnishings from several churches.
Outside
buildings include a large collection of farm machinery of all kinds,
including about 20 different antique tractors in running condition, a
Fairchild single-seater airplane used for crop dusting, an 1870 log
house, two room prairie house, built in 1881, blacksmith shop, a one
room school house and a church dating back to the late 1800’s.
We do
provide genealogy research services and other historical document
research, asking for a $10.00 per hour charge for this service.
Location:
US Highway 2 on the East end of the city.
Hours of operation:
12 noon to 5:00 pm Tuesday through Sunday from
the 3rd week-end in May to the 2nd week-end in
September.
Tours
and special appointments may be arranged. There is no admission charge
but donations are always welcome.
Contact person:
Alice Dale at 218-281-2950
Museum phone: 218-281-1038
Telephone No:
Mailing address:
Polk
County Historical Society,
Box 214,
Crookston, MN 56716
E-Mail:
polkcomuseum@rrv.net (only from June-September)
Website address:
Upcoming Events:
NW MN
Sesquicentennial Traveling Exhibit
Traveling Through Time in Northwest Minnesota
When: August
11
Where: TBA
