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Tuesday, December 2, 2008
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Unknown treasure Local people appear to be last to know about museum Staff Writer From early American Indians through the boom of the lumber, railroad and mining industries, the Crow Wing County Historical Society Museum and Library has chronicled just about everything about the county.
The problem is, not many in Crow Wing County know about the historical society museum.
Located in the old jail and sheriff's residence between the Crow Wing County Courthouse and the Law Enforcement Center on Laurel Street in Brainerd, the museum averages about 1,500 visitors a year.
Many of those visitors are from out of town, said Don Samuelson, Crow Wing County Historical Society president.
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This grand piano, found years ago in a field near Ruttger's Resort, has been restored and placed in the sitting room at the former sheriff's residence at the Crow Wing County Historical Society Museum and Library. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphrey
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"A lot of people, even local people, simply don't know this treasure exists," Samuelson said. "With just the guys I have coffee with, and there's maybe eight or nine of them, only one has been here. They're all Brainerd guys but they just don't take the time for some reason. I suppose it's understandable. People are mostly interested in this stuff as they get older."
The Crow Wing County Historical Society Board and historical society director Marilyn Anderson intend to change that. Their first step is an open house from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday.
Anderson said there's been more traffic through the doors of the museum, which she attributes to the society's Web site at www.crowwinghistory.org.
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Marilyn Anderson, director of the Crow Wing County Historical Society, and Don Samuelson, Crow Wing County Historical Society president, viewed a collection of Boy Scouts memorabilia during a recent tour of the museum. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphrey
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Word of mouth also has been a draw.
"The more people we have in here the more the word spreads," Anderson said. "That's our best advertising - people."
The museum has a lot of history to offer.
Around the first corner on a walking tour of the museum sits a display of American Indian items found in Crow Wing County, from arrowheads to bead work. As one continues through the museum they find floors dedicated to the logging, railroad and mining industries. The walls leading to each floor are plastered with local history, from WPA paintings to plaques honoring Brainerd's professional baseball players, Charles A. "Chief" Bender and Leslie A. Bush.
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A portion of the sheriff's residence at the Crow Wing County Historical Society Museum and Library reflects the lives of the children who lived in the house, from a nursery to bedrooms with books, piggy banks and dolls. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphrey
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A new exhibit, "150 Years ... A Walk into the Past" has been erected with photos and memorabilia on Paul Bunyan Amusement Center; area churches, buildings and schools; the logging industry; racing; resorts; and cities.
There are exhibits on the Magoffin doll collection, fishing lures with local beginnings and a floor dedicated to everyday artifacts that were found in homes.
In the basement sits the research library, with local newspapers dating back to 1972, oral histories, local books, local industry records and a photo collection - all of which can be viewed by the public.
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The Crow Wing County Historical Society and Museum, next to the historic Crow Wing Courthouse on Laurel Street in Brainerd, served as the county's jail and sheriff's residence from 1917 to 1962. In that time six sheriffs and their families lived in the residence. From 1962 to 1979 the building served as offices for the sheriff's department. In 1983 it was opened as the museum. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphrey
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"People are always amazed at what we have," Anderson said.
The museum is only half the experience.
A portion of the building is the former sheriff's residence, separated from the museum by a thick wall that used to serve as the divide between the home and the jail with 13 cells and sheriff's offices. The residence is complete with period furniture, clothing and appliances. There are even three jail cells on the tour.
The sheriff's residence is unique for a house built in the early 1900s as it featured central heating and hot and cold running water.
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Though not original to the house, this bedroom in the sheriff's residence at the Crow Wing County Historical Society Museum and Library has been outfitted with period furniture and clothing to reflect life at the time the jail opened in 1917. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphrey
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"It's like taking a walk into the past," Anderson said.
The museum and library are open for guided tours 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. A $3 donation per adult is requested. The society also maintains several buildings and artifacts at the Crow Wing County Fairgrounds.
MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.
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