Kandiyohi County Historical Society

The Kandiyohi County Historical Society (KCHS) is a local history museum in Willmar, Minnesota, United States. Formerly known as the Old Settlers Association, it was founded in 1897 to "discover, preserve and share the story of Kandiyohi County and its people." The archives and Lawson research library are the principal sources used by KCHS staff, volunteers, and visitors to carry out this mission today and into the future. On average, the museum has 9,000 visitors annually.[1]

Kandiyohi County Historical Society
The Kandiyohi County Museum building.
Established1897 (1897)
Location610 NE Highway 71
Willmar, MN USA
Coordinates45°7′37″N 95°2′11″W
TypeHistory
Websitehttp://www.kandiyohicountyhistory.com/

Features

KCHS consists of six buildings: a main museum and research library; the Sperry House, a restored turn-of-the-century Victorian home; a one-room schoolhouse; an agricultural barn; a restored log cabin which was a site of the 1862 US-Dakota conflict;[1] and Great Northern Passenger Engine #2523.[2]

Regular exhibits include several displays marking the involvement of Kandiyohi County residents in conflicts such as the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I and II, and the 1862 US-Dakota conflict. Additionally, the museum features a monthly rotating display of notable items from its collections. Exhibits focus principally on the effects of wider historical events on local residents.[3]

Great Northern class P-2 Mountain (4-8-2) #2523
front view of the Great Northern P-2
Great Northern P-2

This locomotive, built in 1923, was commissioned to keep up with increased demand for passenger trains along the Great Northern railroad. It had a top speed of 50 mph and could haul up to 12 heavyweight passenger cars at a time. This series was retired in 1955, and this engine in particular was placed on permanent display at KCHS in 1965. Only one other locomotive of its type remains, in Port of Pasco, Washington.[4]

  • Grandpa’s Shed in foreground, Sperry House in background
    Grandpa’s Shed in foreground, Sperry House in background
  • Guri Endreson Cabin
    Guri Endreson Cabin
  • Sperry House
    Sperry House
  • District 18 Schoolhouse
    District 18 Schoolhouse

References
  1. "Museum and Depot Kandiyohi County Historical Society". www.kandiyohicountyhistory.com. Retrieved 2019-08-13.
  2. "Kandiyohi County Historical Society & Museum : Explore Minnesota". www.exploreminnesota.com. Retrieved 2019-08-13.
  3. Aug 8th 2019 - 2pm, West Central Tribune |. "Museums and historic sites published Aug. 8, 2019". West Central Tribune. Retrieved 2019-08-13.
  4. "Great Northern 4-8-2 "Mountain" Locomotives in the USA". www.steamlocomotive.com. Retrieved 2019-08-13.
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