Kanabec History Center Exhibits

 

 

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General Information

The Kanabec History Center Exhibit Hall is divided into several exhibit areas. Some areas house long term exhibits while other areas rotate more often, so there is often something new to see at the History Center. All of our exhibits are about Kanabec County History featuring items from the Kanabec History Center archives.

 

Current Exhibits

Exhibits in the main exhibit hall are available for viewing year round Tuesdays through Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission adults $3.00 Students K-12 $1.00, Members Free. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

  • Ojibwe Winter Camp, The Advent of the European Trader: This exhibit features a half-size wig wam built mainly of materials found on site along the Snake River. The exhibit includes items that the Ojibwe would have gotten through trade with the early European traders. Also included in the this exhibit is dried plants collected along the Kanabec History Center hiking trails that would have been used by the Native Americans. (This is a long term exhibit)
  • Logging in Kanabec County:  Logging was the first industry of the Kanabec County and it is what first brought people to this region to log the white pine forests. A maps marks the locations of the many logging camps in our county. Also includes many artifacts from the Camp Creek logging camp. Pick up brochures on camp cooking, camp tools and the route of the O' neal brothers logging rail road.
  • 1906's Kitchen: This exhibit is set up to show what a 1906 farm kitchen would have looked with wood stove cook stove. There are many kitchen "gadgets" of the day on display. You can check out pages of the Sears catalog to see how many of the items featured could have been ordered from the "wish book."
  • Vintage Quilts: Many beautiful quilts from the collection are on view in this exhibit. Crazy quilts with decorative stitches, pieced quilts, embroidered quilts and a very interesting yo you quilt are all found in this exhibit.
  • Music, Music, Music and The Bands Played On: Vintage instruments, a radio, wind up phonograph and photos make up this new exhibit. Find information about community bands and area dance halls in the earlier days of Kanabec County.
  • Kanabec County Schools: Photos and information about the many rural school that once dotted the Kanabec County countryside. Some where in operation into the 1970's.
  • All of the above exhibits are open year round Tuesday through Saturday 10 AM to 4:30 PM     No admission charge during the winter months. May through October admission $3 adults $1 children K-12th grades. Members always free. (Donations always appreciated)

 

Out Door Exhibits On Display During the Summer Months

The Kanabec History Center has some historic buildings, a farm exhibit building and other out door exhibits that are open during the spring and summer from May to October each year.

  • Potato Farming in Kanabec County: Features equipment that was used in planting, harvesting etc. for the potato farming industry in our county.
  • Seven Foot Dala Horse a gift from the American Swedish Institute.
  • The Webster School Building Dist. 14: Built in 1889 the 16 x 20 foot structure was the first Comfort Township Webster School. This log building was later replaced with a brick school building and the log building served as the home for the teacher. The building was donated to the Kanabec History Center by Marvin Dresler and moved here in 1981.
  • Whittier School Dist. 41 formerly Dist. 21: The school district was established in 1904. The school closed in 1963. The building was moved to the Kanabec History Center grounds in 1987. It is currently used for Old Tyme School classes each summer. See the "Education page" for more information and how to register for these classes. 
  • 1904 Fire Hall Building: New this year, the 1904 fire hall replica building will open to the public with a dedication ceremony on June 30th. It is an exact replica of the first Mora Fire Hall. Inside you will find the original hose cart from the original fire hall. Also newspaper clippings and photos of some of the fires the first volunteer firemen were called out to fight. 
  • Machinery Exhibit, 1960 Fire Truck and Black Smith Shop
  • Picnic tables. hiking trails and labrynth are open for public use free of charge.                                                                  
  • The above buildings are open for viewing May through October Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

updated May 2012