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Monday 8:30am - 4pm Tuesday 8:30am - 4pm Wednesday 8:30am - 4pm Thursday 8:30am - 4pm Friday 8:30am - 4pm

Douglas County Historical Society MN

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Douglas County Historical Society MN

Local archive & museum for Douglas County, MN history, offering historical research and education.
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The mission of the Douglas County Historical Society is to discover, preserve and disseminate the history of Douglas County, Minnesota. DCHS is headquartered in the historic home of Douglas County's Statesman, Sen. Knute Nelson, a two-term MN State Legislator, the State's only foreign-born Governor, and also United States Senator for 28 years. Located at 1219 Nokomis Street, Alexandria, MN, visit

ors enjoy selected exhibits as well as a public history and genealogy research center. The Douglas County Historical Society has a wealth of information about the county’s history with resources for individuals, families, businesses, organizations, schools, churches and more. It is also a warm and welcoming environment for special events and small group gatherings. The Douglas County Historical Society (DCHS) is a non-profit organization which relies on your donations to support programs, preservation, research and Knute Nelson's Historic House and Spruce Hill Church.

06/02/2026

You don't want to miss this!

🎼 LIVE MUSIC! Jack Norton (Emmy Award Winner) @ History 250 🎼

11 a.m. - 1 p.m. this Saturday (6/6/26) at Pilgrim Point Park!

🎵 Old-Time Blues and Good-Time Folk with Jack Norton 🎵

🌞 Limited on-site seating; please bring your own chair or picnic blanket! 🌞

Travel back in time with Emmy Award winning songwriter Jack Norton - Vaudeville Blues and Old-Time Music for a concert of old-time blues and good-time folk music. Oddball ukulele legend Tiny Tim hailed Norton as “the greatest entertainer I have ever seen!” The Minneapolis Star Tribune called Jack “one of the most entertaining acoustic musicians in the Midwest.” His performances are an authentic throwback to a simpler time and bygone era.

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Enjoy a fun-filled day celebrating 250 years of American history with food trucks, antique machine demos, vintage cars and military vehicles, rides in a vintage boat (weather permitting), living history, blacksmithing, ropemaking, history exhibits, family activities, and more!

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🚗 Park-and-ride shuttle service is available between Carlos Creek Winery and Pilgrim Point Park every 30 minutes beginning at 10:00 a.m. (at the winery) with the final shuttle departing the park at 3:30 p.m. 🚗

06/01/2026

🌊 Who remembers the Lake Henry swimming beach (with the water wheel!) at City Park on Lake Henry in Alexandria, MN? 🌊

Although the water wheel and play structures are gone today, they still live on in many memories.

Hundreds of Douglas County residents and visitors had swimming lessons on this beach - "official" formal lessons as well as informal lessons from peers and family members.

Based on the swimsuits and styles, what year do YOU think this photo was taken?

05/27/2026

TONIGHT! As we prepare for the 2026 Alexandria Historic House Tour, taking place Saturday, July 18, 12:00 - 5:00 p.m., we’re hosting informational sessions for potential house hosts, where you’ll be able to talk with DCHS staff and learn more about the tour. Attendance is not required, and attending does not commit you to participating on the tour, but we’d love to tell you more about the event! Join us at the Douglas County Historical Society (1219 Nokomis St. in Alexandria) at the following times:

Wednesday, May 27 // 6:00-6:30 p.m.

If you’re interested in learning more about the tour but unable to attend at these times, please contact us at 320-762-0382 or [email protected] and we’re happy to set up a meeting! Please also contact us with any questions!

05/25/2026

🇺🇸 MEMORIAL DAY IN DOUGLAS COUNTY 🇺🇸

Today, Monday, May 25 is Memorial Day, and we wanted to take an opportunity this week to not only observe this day of remembrance, but to share some of the events happening around our county this year, held by many different community organizations.

Alexandria

The Freedom First Riders Chapter ABATE of MN will be doing a slow ride from 2nd Ave. to 8th Ave. in Alexandria to show support of past and present military personnel starting at 10 a.m. on Monday. (The public is invited and encouraged to watch along Broadway.)

Following a Memorial Day service presented by the Runestone Detachment Marine Corps League 1409 at St. Mary's Cemetery at 11:00 a.m., lunch will be served at VFW Post 936 in Alexandria (1102 3rd Ave. E) beginning at 12:00 p.m. as a free-will donation meal.

The Veterans Memorial Honor Guard of Alexandria will be presenting the colors at the Taps Across America at Fleet Farm (310 50th Ave W. in Alexandria) at 2:50 p.m. on Monday, May 25.

Brandon

Brandon American Legion Post 278 will host a Memorial Day service at 11:00 a.m. at Legion Park. Legion Commander Carl Wilson will give the welcome, followed by an opening prayer from Pastor Brad Person, and Jacob Turner is the guest speaker. Moe 4-H, Vikingland Jr. Shooting Club, Kristi Roers, Jerome Kostreba, and Robert E. Piotrowski will be contributing to the program.

Following the service, the Brandon Auxiliary will serve a free-will donation meal at the Brandon Auditorium hall.

The Brandon History Center will be display military uniforms at the Brandon Auditorium (105 Holmes Ave. in Brandon) on Monday, May 25, following the military service at Legion Park (during the above luncheon.)

Evansville

On Wednesday, May 20, Brandon-Evansville's 5th grade students assisted the American Legion Post 188 with displaying flags on the road leading to Mound Grove Cemetery.
Evansville American Legion Post 188 will assemble at the Fire Station on Monday, May 25.

Their march to the Veterans Memorial at Mound Grove Cemetery will begin at 10:30 a.m. for a brief presentation and salute. Members of the public are welcomed to follow the veterans in the procession down Railroad Street to the cemetery after they have passed by with the colors.

Lunch will be hosted by the Evansville Auxiliary at the Senior Center following the presentation. Members of the public are welcomed to attend.

Millerville

Inspiration Peak American Legion Post 527, covering Millerville and the surrounding area, will hold a series of Memorial Day honors at local cemeteries, including:

Millerville Cemetery at 8:30 a.m.

Trinity Cemetery at 9 a.m.

Eagle Lake Cemetery at 9:30 a.m.

Leaf Mountain Cemetery at 10 a.m.

Urbank Cemetery at 10:20 a.m.

Saint James Cemetery at 10:40 a.m.

Ebenezer Cemetery at 11 a.m.

Osakis

Osakis VFW Post 7902 will host its Memorial Day service at Memorial Park at 10:30 a.m. Invocation will be performed by Pastor Luke Kjolhaug from Elim Lutheran Church and this year’s guest speaker is Pastor Lundell Quam. The Osakis High School Band, under the direction of Lee Bottelberg, will perform during the service. In case of inclement weather, the service will take place inside the high school gym.

05/21/2026

Have some historic fun at the History 250 Festival on June 6, 10 am - 4 pm at Pilgrim Point Park!

Enjoy a fun-filled day celebrating 250 years of American history with food trucks, antique machine demos, vintage cars and military vehicles, rides in a 1907 boat (weather permitting), living history, blacksmithing, ropemaking, history exhibits, family activities, and more!
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🎼 LIVE MUSIC WITH JACK NORTON 🎼
11 1.m. - 1 p.m.
🎵 Old-Time Blues and Good-Time Folk with Jack Norton 🎵
Travel back in time with Emmy Award winning songwriter Jack Norton for a concert of old-time blues and good-time folk music. Oddball ukulele legend Tiny Tim hailed Norton as “the greatest entertainer I have ever seen!” The Minneapolis Star Tribune called Jack “one of the most entertaining acoustic musicians in the Midwest.” His performances are an authentic throwback to a simpler time and bygone era.
----------
🚗 Park-and-ride shuttle service is available between Carlos Creek Winery and Pilgrim Point Park every 30 minutes beginning at 10:00 a.m. (at the winery) with the final shuttle departing the park at 3:30 p.m. 🚗

05/20/2026

The Summer of History 250 begins!

05/19/2026

On May 20, 1902, tragedy struck a little one-room schoolhouse near Brandon, Minnesota. The white wooden building, known as District 82 Happy Knoll, was a place of learning for 20 plus students grades 1-8, and their 25 year old teacher, Miss Ida Hanson.

It was a warm, spring afternoon when the storm suddenly hit. Miss Hanson warned the students to stay inside as some rushed for the door. She hurried to close a window near the school's entry when the building was blown from its foundation, a tornado tearing off the wall where Miss Hanson stood. She died almost instantly in the wreckage.

Several students were injured, but none as gravely as nine year old Mary Ann Thompson, who died later that day. The whole community mourned. Miss Hanson and Mary Ann were buried at nearby Chippewa Cemetery, on land donated 27 years before by little Mary Ann’s father Ole Thompson.

Young Mary Ann was the daughter of Ole Thompson and his wife Anna K. Johnson Holing. Ole said Mary Ann left that morning for the nearby school “with a light and joyous heart” and was brought back home unconscious and dying. Her grave is unmarked in Chippewa cemetery, but she is likely buried near her other Thompson family members. A few years later her parents left Brandon and settled in Montana with the other children.

At age 25, Miss Ida Hanson had already taught for eight years in various Douglas County rural schools. Her parents, Hans Peter Hanson and Gunhild Julseth Hanson, emigrated from Norway and were among the early homesteaders in Brandon Township in 1868. They had 14 children, and Ida landed somewhere in the middle, born in 1877 at home in Brandon Township. Ida graduated from 8th grade and took an abbreviated teaching course typical for that time in rural Minnesota. By about 1894, a teenaged Ida Hanson was ready to teach grades 1-8. A growing Douglas County was adding rural school districts at a rapid rate, averaging 2 or 3 schools each year in the 1890’s.

05/15/2026

In observance of Peace Officers Memorial Day, we're sharing a little information about Curt Felt, who served as a peace officer with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and died in the line of duty on Thursday, June 29, 1978, at the age of 23.

Curtis (Curt) Felt was born and raised in Alexandria, where he was an honor student and athlete at Jefferson Senior High, participating in football, hockey, band, and Boy Scouts, and was also active in his church. He later attended Alexandria Technical School for Law Enforcement and BCA school.

The assailant, James Franklin Kroupa, appeared in court that Thursday due to an unpaid fine related to a DUI charge, where he was was sentenced to 30 days in jail after refusing to pay the fine. When Felt arrived to transport Kroupa to jail, Kroupa produced a hidden weapon, fired at Felt at point-blank range, and then fled. Kroupa’s following actions resulted in a police chase and shootout where he was later also mortally wounded.

Curt Felt was able to walk a short distance to the office of secretary Delores Schultz, who helped him lay down and ensured help was on the way. Despite the fast response, a main artery had already been severed, and Curt Felt passed away during surgery a short time later, leaving behind Donna, his wife of six months, his mother and father, and 7-year-old twin brothers.

Curt Felt was honored with a funeral at Calvary Lutheran Church attended by more than 400 officers from around the state and hundreds of local residents.

In 1998, at the request of then Douglas County Sheriff Bill Ingebrigtsen, who had served as one of Curt Felt’s pallbearers in 1978, Three Havens Park was renamed Curt Felt Memorial Park in his memory. The park was officially rededicated in his memory on Memorial Day in 1999.

05/12/2026

Tonight's the night! 7 p.m. at Copper Trail Brewing Company is our next exciting Brewed History presentation on WWII!

A few months ago, we partnered with our friends at the Legacy of The Lakes Museum for a presentation on prohibition and rum running at Alexandria's Copper Trail Brewing Company — and it was so popular, we're coming back!

TONIGHT, Tuesday, May 12, join us at Copper Trail Brewing Company as we team up with Legacy of the Lakes for another engaging Brewed History, this time featuring history from World War II!

This event begins at 7:00 p.m. on May 12 and is free to the public, and we recommend arriving early to get a dinner order in at 205 Grill, Copper Trail's in-house restaurant (205 Broadway St. in Downtown Alexandria)!

05/11/2026

Don't forget! Tomorrow at 7 p.m. is our next exciting Brewed History presentation on WWII!

A few months ago, we partnered with our friends at the Legacy of The Lakes Museum for a presentation on prohibition and rum running at Alexandria's Copper Trail Brewing Company — and it was so popular, we're coming back!

TOMORROW, Tuesday, May 12, join us at Copper Trail Brewing Company as we team up with Legacy of the Lakes for another engaging Brewed History, this time featuring history from World War II!

This event begins at 7:00 p.m. on May 12 and is free to the public, and we recommend arriving early to get a dinner order in at 205 Grill, Copper Trail's in-house restaurant (205 Broadway St. in Downtown Alexandria)!

Address

1219 Nokomis Street
Alexandria, MN
56308

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 4pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 4pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 4pm
Thursday	8:30am - 4pm
Friday	8:30am - 4pm

Telephone

+13207620382

Website

http://www.dchsmn.org/

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