Museums and historic sites

Kandiyohi County Historical Society

Willmar, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 1 to 5 p.m. weekends and holidays; free admission, located at the train engine on North Business Highway 71 across from Robbins Island; the KCHS museum has a number of featured exhibits and the Sperry House will also be open most days; 320-235-1881.

Exhibits

Immigration: To celebrate the diverse ancestry and heritage of Kandiyohi County and the state of Minnesota. The immigration exhibit features one of four original Red River Ox Carts left in the state of Minnesota along with pictures of traditional costumes of peoples who settled this region during the nineteenth century. There us a map of ethnic communities in the late 1800s and early 1900s show our county's "old" ethnic neighborhoods, with an immigrant truck and artifacts brought from the Old Countries.

Kandi Resorts: As Minnesota is the "Land of 10,000 Lakes" and Kandiyohi County is "Where the Lakes Begin," KCHS is honoring the lake-based economy in an exhibit dedicated to early resorts and the lakes. The exhibit features bathing suits, fishing gear, resort pictures and brochures.

Something's Afoot: Photographs, shoe store fixtures and shoes from the 1870s to the 1970s.

Beautiful buildings: Photographs, history and a few leftover "pieces" tell the stories of several buildings that were razed in Willmar and missed by residents who remember them.

Velma's Hats: Hats from the collection of Velma Swanson, from the 1940s to '70s, along with a special Red Hat Society-style number made by Sharon Richmond along with photographs and accessories.

Last run of 2523: The year 2005 marked the 40th anniversary of the "last run" of Great Northern engine 2523 to the historical center. This photo exhibit shows the stages of the move

No! No! is an eclectic display of museum objects that were or are considered immoral or shocking. Confiscated liquor bottles from the Prohibition era, century-old "racy" stereopticon views, spittoons, and other tobacco items are some of the obviously "sinful" pieces in the exhibit. Other features remind viewers that currently acceptable practices such as Sunday shopping or trends like bobbed hair or jazz music were formerly considered "No, No's."

Hotels: Hotel photos and objects are featured, along with the former Lakeland Hotel telephone booth.

Collectible stamp sets: Elmond Ekblad displays his stamp collection, with stamps for each season.

Take note: Music is the theme with some distinctive and typical instruments and local photographs.

World War II: World War II oral history with local veterans' video can be shown upon request.

Civil, Spanish-America and wars: Military items, photos of local veterans, and lists of local GAR veterans.

Buggy-riding: Judge Muller's buggy is the focal point of a new exhibit. It is flanked by photos of buggies and equipment used with horse-drawn vehicles.

Newspapers: Interpretive panels telling the history of the press in America have been added to the old printing press and Linotype exhibit.

Halvorson inventions: A generator and carburetor invented by Lars Halvorson of Willmar, who also built the first gas-powered "horseless carriage" in the area, are displayed with the museum's early automobiles.

Arv-Hus Museum

Milan, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday or by appointment by calling 320-734-4868 or 320-734-4829; photograph and historical museum celebrating its 25th anniversary; free.

Atwater Area Museum

Atwater, open by appointment, call 320-212-2702; the Atwater Area Historical Society and Museum.

GAR and Meeker

County Museum

Litchfield, noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, $2 admission; Grand Army of the Republic Hall and Meeker County Historical Society Museum, 308 Marshall Ave.

Grove City Historical

Grove City, 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Saturday, others times by appointment, call Dorothy 857-9422 or Irma 857-2176, South Grove Square, Grove City Area Historical Society Museum.

Mikkelson Classic Boats

Willmar, open by appointment, call 320-231-0384, 418 Benson Ave. S.E.; featuring classic speed boats, outboard motors, toy boats and motors and boating artifacts; $6 admission.

Natural History Museum

New London, open by appointment, call 320-354-8820, 12050 Co. Rd. 40 N.E. Larry and Barb Levin's Natural History Museum includes collections of butterflies, seashells, rocks, minerals, Indian artifacts and dinosaur bones. Admission is free.

Renville City Museum

Renville, 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Friday or by appointment, Main Street; 320-329-8210.

Sacred Heart

Area Museum

Sacred Heart, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and Friday or by appointment, U.S. Highway 212 in Sacred Heart; 320-765-8868.

Exhibit information will be printed each Thursday in this calendar up to a month in advance. The deadline is noon Monday.

Items may be submitted on the Tribune Web site at www.wctrib.com; faxed to 320-235-6769; mailed to Arts Calendar, P.O. Box 839, Willmar, MN 56201 or e-mailed to dmiddleton@wctrib.com with "arts calendar item" in the subject line.