Ottertail County Museum
Museum, Research Library and Educational Resource
Our exhibits illustrate the lives, conditions, events, and activities that have shaped Otter Tail County.
Our permanent exhibits introduce visitors to key aspects of the Otter Tail County's past including: the natural environment, Native American history, the Fur Trade, Immigration, Settlement, agriculture, farm life and a recreation of a 1910s main street.
Our temporary exhibits provide staff with the opportunity to highlight areas of our collection that would otherwise remain in storage, taking an in-depth look at specific themes, events, time periods and individuals from the county's past and share it with visitors. The staff produces one major temporary exhibit annually. The exhibit opens in early February and runs through September.
The Otter Tail County Historical Society is located Fergus Falls, Minnesota in the heart of west central Minnesota. We are the official county historical society and collect the history of the entire county.
Who We Are
The Otter Tail County Historical Society is a private, nonprofit organization whose purpose is the collection, preservation and interpretation of Otter Tail County's history and heritage. This is achieved through a variety of services including the Society's exhibit gallery, educational outreach program, special public programs, archival and object collections, and a genealogical and local history research library. The development of these services had made the Society an active partner in the educational and cultural life of Otter Tail County.
Our History
Otter Tail County Historical Society was organized on July 31, 1927, at a gathering at Amor Park. For decades the Society was headquartered in the basement of the county courthouse. In 1972, Underwood native, John Gronner, lead a county-wide capital fund drive which resulted in a new museum. Ten years later another drive provided funds to add an agriculture wing.
Many volunteer hours have gone into making the Society what it is today. Local artist, Charles Beck, designed and implemented the installation of many exhibits that continue to tell the history of Otter Tail County.
Our library has grown because of the generous donations of time and funds. A financial contribution made in honor of Samuel P. Adams continues to sustain the library and archives. Volunteer hours donated by many volunteers including Ann Smalley Jordan, for whom the archives was named on May 22, 2004, have and continue to increase our holdings.
Our educational programs started in 1979 when our first educator, Judy Stringer, put together our first education kit.
In 2002 we celebrated our 75th Anniversary with the completion of a site improvement project which almost doubled our parking lot, made a bus drop-off and handicap accessible ramp as well as provided better drainage away from the building.
Explore Related Categories
