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Pope County Historical Museum

POPE COUNTY MUSEUM & HISTORY CENTER

See the Museum's Website For the latest attractions

For more information call (320) 634-3293

‘A fascinating and learning experience for young and old !’

Hours - Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

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Pope County Museum and Historical Society::photo by WaskaWeb
The Pope County Historical Society organized in 1931 to collect and preserve Pope County history. With WPA funding, the society began compiling family history records as well as collecting significant artifacts to illustrate our development as a county. Generous gifts of land, money and community volunteer support helped the society move from the county courthouse attic to our present museum campus in 1966. Our campus now includes a genealogy Library, 11,000 square feet exhibit galleries, five historic buildings and additional outdoor displays of agricultural and industrial equipment.

A unique collection of Native American arts and crafts is a highlight of the Museum experience. Cleora Helbing, a former Glenwood resident, amassed this collection during her years as director of Indian Education throughout the U.S. Not satisfied with an offer from the Smithsonian Institute, she left the entire collection to the Pope County Historical Society.

The Museum exhibits change regularly. Occasional special events are held throughout the year as well.

 

Open Year ‘Round’ – Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm
Nominal admission charge Call ahead for guided group tours.

Genealogy library with information on Pope County Families, Businesses, Schools and Churches.

 



Museum Begins It's Basket Auction PDF Print E-mail
Pope County Historical Museum
Written by Merlin Pederson - Pope County Museum   
Tuesday, 29 November 2011 11:31

The annual Pope County Museum Open House will be December 3 from 1-4.

Stop in for some yummy goodies, bid on wonderful gift baskets and see the new “Minnesota on the Map” exhibit.

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Museum to hold Open House and Silent Auction
The annual Pope County Museum Open House will be December 3 from 1-4. Stop in for some yummy goodies, bid on wonderful gift baskets and see the new “Minnesota on the Map” exhibit.
Admission to the museum will be free all week from November 29-December 3 with baskets and gift items throughout the museum available for bidding. Proceeds from this fundraiser support operation of the Pope County Museum and Family History Library.
The silent auction includes golf packages, hand made quilts, Norwegian baked goods, home made jelly, gift certificates to local and regional businesses, a grandparent basket with videos and snacks for entertaining grandkids, and many other wonderful themed baskets.
Some of the more unusual silent auction items include a fully decorated Christmas tree and a Hurdy Gurdy table. The Hurdy Gurdy was made by local artist David Lent and has been in the museum rotunda since this spring. It is a huge hit with children and adults alike! Even if you don’t want to bid on it, it is worth a trip to the museum to play the Hurdy Gurdy before it is gone.
The Pope County Museum is located at 809 South Lakeshore Drive in Glenwood. They are open 10-5 Tuesday through Saturday and be reached at 320-634-3293, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or http://popecountymuseum.wordpress.com/
 
Glenwood Herald, May 27, 1910 PDF Print E-mail
Pope County Historical Museum
Written by Merlin Pederson - Pope County Museum   
Wednesday, 26 May 2010 11:58

From the Glenwood Herald, May 27, 1910

Green Street has been receiving a great deal of attention lately and the result will be one of the finest streets in Glenwood.  Trees have been planted along the north side of the street and boulevards are being laid out on both sides.  The embankment along the south side has been trimmed off and has been given the same slant along the whole length of the street.  When the grass begins to grow where the improvements have been made it will present a very attractive appearance.
There is quite a boom on at present on the west shore of Scandinavian Lake in Gilchrist.  Peter T. Peterson and Tobias Tofson are each erecting buildings that will be used as general stores.  Anderson and Boe are starting a confectionery store and Chas. C. Anderson of Benson is building a new cottage.
Read more...
 
Museum Notes - March 11, 1910 PDF Print E-mail
Pope County Historical Museum
Written by Merlin Pederson - Pope County Museum   
Wednesday, 03 March 2010 07:43

From the Glenwood Herald, March 11, 1910

 

pcmuesum_build_200Last Saturday afternoon the members of the Glenwood commercial club, 26 strong, took the train for Brooten.  They went there to show Brooten how to play whist.  Early Sunday morning they returned.  They had then become convinced that Brooten had shown them.  As one man put it, "They beat us in whist and everything else, they were not only better whist players but also better entertainers."  They all returnedt o Glenwood on Sunday morning at about 1 o'clock.  After sober reflection they have decided that the best team won, and that the Brooten people are the best entertainers they have ever encountered.
The result of the elections in Pope County are about as follows:  Glenwood retains the wet regime by 63 votes, Lowery voted in the saloons by 5 votes, Sedan went dry by two votes, Starbuck remained dry by 24 votes, Cyrus dry by 14 votes.  Farwell and Villard did not vote on the question.
During the strong wind last Sunday the smoke stack on the electric light plant blew down.  The wind continued so strong all day that it was impossible to erect it again until Monday.  The result was that all the citizens of Glenwood were compelled to find their old lamps Sunday evening.  On Monday enough of the smoke stack was raised so that the plant could be used.  It was found that it was so badly rusted that it was necessary to order a new one.  This will be put in place of the small part of the old one now in use as soon as it arrives.
The Grove Lake town election resulted in the electing of the following:  Supervisor, Wm. Riley; Clerk, J.B. Hart; Treasurer, M.C. Whitney; Justices of the Peace, W.T. Beach and Elmer Anderson; Constable, George Buckholz.
Rev. W.A. Rice who since last fall has resided at St. Francis, passed through Glenwood last Monday on the way to Starbuck where he was to make a temperance address.
Wanted a good ironer and starcher at the Glenwood Steam Laundry.
From the Cyrus Citizen:  Iver Thompson and H.C. Estby returned Friday from the cities where they had been for several days attending the hardware dealers convention and selecting stock for there respective stores.  Mr. Estby informs us that he has contracted for the agency of the Rambler automobiles and has purchased three of these cars.
P.S. Finden last Thursday became the proprietor of the only tailor shop in Glenwood.  A.S. Rosen secured employment in Chicago that he considered very good and therefore sold out his furniture and stock to Finden who on Friday moved into the quarters formerly occupied by Rosen.  Olof Bros and Charley Linden who formerly worked for Rosen have been employed by Finden.  Mr. Rosen left immediately for Chicago.  He has been in business in Glenwood for about five years.  Mr. Finden has been in Glenwood running a tailor shop for about 12 years.  He will without doubt retain all of Mr. Rosen's patronage.
 
Pope County Museum Notes PDF Print E-mail
Pope County Historical Museum
Written by Merlin Pederson - Pope County Museum   
Thursday, 21 January 2010 16:29

From the Glenwood Herald, January 28, 1910

Last Saturday night the Glenwood High School boys won a close and interesting game of basketball from Elbow Lake.  The visitors were here for victory.  They had a taste of defeat last year but it was not appetizing at that time, so they decided to have a better dish this year.  With all of their last year's men in the line up and a better knowledge of the fine points of the game their chances of winning looked rosy.  The game opened with a rush and before our boys realized what had happened, two points were chalked up against them.  The center of the visiting team had batted the ball to a forward who neatly tossed it into the basket.  Glenwood, however, recovered almost instantly and soon had the count evened.  Both teams played hard, tho fair, and guarded closely.  Elbow managed to make another basket and also a free throw during the half but Glenwood had done better, hustling her score up to 9, the half closing with Glenwood in the lead by a score of 9 to 5.  The second half opened with a change of baskets.  Elbow seemed to realize that she must play good ball to tie the score.  The guarding of both teams during this half was good, Glenwood guards probably excelling as their opponents had very few shots. Our boys had probably three or more times as many chances as the visitors but for some unknown reason the ball seemed to roll around the basket instead of into it.  With the score tied and the Elbow boys playing strong ball one of our guards on a guard signal received the ball on a perfect pass and dropped it in for two points making the score 11 to 9.  Glenwood fouled and this made the score, after a free throw was made, 11 to 10.  Elbow had only a basket from the field to make and the game would be tucked away by her.  Our boys realized the same and the fight was on.  The spectators where following every play and there was a momentary sigh of relief when Elbow missed a last long throw for a basket.  The fight was still on but not for long as the whistle soon blew.  Final score: Glenwood 11, Elbow Lake 10.  The visiting team was composed of well behaved, fair and manly young men, each one playing a clean, steady ball and for that reason the game was fast and interesting.
E. Burke of Minneapolis is at present the manager of the Sam Parker House on the Soo Hill.  J.H. Bailey is taking a month's vacation and left last week for Minneapolis.  He expects to visit Boston and other places before returning.  Mr. Burke will be in charge until Mr. Bailey returns.
Lilah Johnson entertained a number of her friends at cards last Saturday evening.  Progressive whist was played. Vance Skinner and Alice Johnson won the booby prize and Alida Brandanger and Cliff Fowlds won the high prize.
Andrew Simonson arrived from Napoleon, N.D. last Saturday to visit for a few weeks with his many friends in Pope and surrounding counties. Next week he goes to Brooten.  He will return to North Dakota the latter part of February.  Mr. Simonson went to Dakota some years ago to get a piece of Uncle Sam's land.  He proved up his claim two years ago and he now has a farm for which he has refused $30 per acre.  He had good crops this year and is very prosperous.

 
Museum Notes - News from December 24, 1909 PDF Print E-mail
Pope County Historical Museum
Written by Merlin Pederson - Pope County Museum   
Friday, 18 December 2009 14:44

From the Glenwood Herald, December 24, 1909

 

Smithson and Johnson Bros. is the name of the new firm that built a shop south of the electric lighting plant. They have now been doing work for about a month.  Their building which is 24 by 60 was completed on the 20th of November.  These men are all experienced workers in their line of work.  Mr. A. Smithson has been doing blacksmith work in Glenwood for six years.  Before that he was engaged in the same kind of work at Sedan and prior to that at the electric lighting plant and has 14 years experience in engine and blacksmith work.  Alfred Johnson has ten years experience in wood work and machine business.  This firm installed last week an improved engine turning lathe which undoubtedly is the best of its kind.  It places these men in position to do all kinds of repairing on engines and other machinery.  This firm has been very busy since they started.  It has been necessary for them to work til 9 and 9:30 every evening.  At present they are busy making cutters.  They have already made two and have orders for three more.
One thing that the people of Glenwood will have to give serious attention to before beginning of another winter is the supplying of more room for our high school.  The school building is over crowded to such an extent now that the basement has had to be used.  Two of the grades we understand have their class room down there.  The basement is unsanitary and is no fit place for children and teachers to spend the greater part of the day.  Next year it is said an additional teacher will be needed.  This will necessitate sending a few more children into the basement.  Glenwood has an old school house that could be fixed up.  But will it pay?  This old school house will need new floors, new window sills, a heating plant and a great number of other repairs.  The most economical way out of the difficulty would be to put up a new modern building.  We understand the board of education realizes the necessity of doing something and we will undoubtedly hear from them soon on this question.
A.K. Moen, town treasurer of the town of Blue Mounds and O. Signalness were in Glenwood last Monday. The latter brought in a load of chickens for the Quam & Sather butcher shop.
The Misses Olive Landing and Zoe Ward entertained their school mates last Tuesday evening.  The first on the program was a sleigh ride followed later by an oyster supper at the Landing restaurant.
The Reno farmers were busy hauling wheat to Lowry last week.
Aron Moeberg and Albin Anderson have bought a wood sawing outfit and are now busy traveling around and sawing wood for the farmers.
 
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