Museums and historic sites published March 29, 2023

Willmar, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, closed holidays, $5 for adults, ages 12 and under and Kandiyohi County Historical Society members admitted for free, 320-235-1881, located at the train engine on North Business Highway 71 across from Robbins Island. The museum has a number of featured exhibits. Along with the museum there is a one-room school, a log shed and a Great Northern locomotive. Maps of county historical sites are available at the museum. More information available online at www.kandiyohicountyhistory.com

Annual meeting: April 20, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., pork loin dinner followed by the 127th annual meeting. Scott Thoma will talk about researching the Willmar Bank Robbery story and what he encountered along the way of this well-known story in Willmar history. Purchase dinner tickets by April 13 by calling 320-235-1881, emailing director@kandiyohicountyhistory.com or on the website. Pre-payment is required, $20 per person for KCHS members and $25 per person for non-members.

Carolyn Mankell Sowinski: April 13, 6:30 p.m.; Kandiyohi County native Carolyn Mankell Sowinski will talk about her latest book “The Great Storm: Minnesota’s Victims in the Blizzard of January 7, 1873.” Sowinski has identified 84 people from 31 counties in the state who died in the three-day storm. She will share the stories of Kandiyohi County victims — six county residents died, five non-residents died in the county and three residents had amputations. She will read excerpts about the storm, highlight some historic documents about the victims, and provide helpful hints when doing research.

Atwater, 10 a.m to noon, Saturdays or by appointment, call Jon at 320-444-0337, Atwater Area Historical Society and Museum, 500 Pleasant Ave. W.

The Chippewa County Historical Society office is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. For more information call 320-269-7636, email chippewahistory@outlook.com or web site www.chippewacohistory.org .

Dassel, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dassel History Center, 901 First St. N., freewill donation, 320-275-3077, dassel.com/hs.

Granite Falls, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, starting April 1, Lenzen-Roe Memorial Airport, 3 miles south of Granite Falls on Highway 23; adults $10, ages 10-17 $5, family $20, active military $5, ages 9 and under admitted free, annual memberships available. Home to a pristine collection of fully operational, active aircraft and vehicles from World War II along with fine art, bronze sculptures, interactive multimedia displays, and a library. It is designed as a self-guided experience.

Litchfield, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, $3 admission, ages 11 and under free; Grand Army of the Republic Hall and Meeker County Historical Society Museum, 308 Marshall Ave., 320-693-8911, meekercomuseum.org.

Grove City, open by appointment, call Dorothy 320-244-1044, Ron 320-693-2922, or Gordon 320-857-2636.

Madison, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday; South Highway 75; freewill donation.

Maynard, open by appointment, call the Maynard city office at 320-367-2140.

New London, open by appointment, call 320-354-8820, 12050 Co. Rd. 40 N.E. Larry and Barb Levin’s natural history museum is located on County Road 40, 2.8 miles east of state Highway 23 on the north side of the road. Admission is free.

Morton, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, research library by appointment only; adults $5, ages 6-12 $3, children 5 and under free. For more information or for a library appointment call 507-697-6147, or email info@renvillecountyhistory.com , website www.renvillecountyhistory.com .

Renville, open by appointment, Main Street; 320-329-8210.

Sacred Heart, 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays and by appointment, U.S. Highway 212 in Sacred Heart; free admission, donations appreciated, call 320-765-2274, email shahs@hcinet.net .

Benson, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, or by appointment, 2135 Minnesota Ave.; free admission; 320-843-4467.

Morris, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, Saturday by appointment, 116 6th St. W.; free admission; 320-589-1719. Walking tours have been developed for Alberta, Chokio, Donnelly, Hancock and several parts of Morris. They take about an hour to walk the full path; please stay on the sidewalk and do not enter private property. Check the website to see where brochures/maps are available for each tour.