Kandiyohi County Historical Society

05/28/2026

📣There is still time to sign up for our blood drive this Friday, May 29 between 9am-3pm.

To sign up:
☎️ Call 1-800-733-2767
💻 visit to sign up: https://tinyurl.com/May29blooddrive

Photograph of the Red Cross Parade in Willmar on May 17, 1918, which was held to inaugurate the Second Red Cross War Fund Drive.

05/26/2026

Then & Now
Sperryville

The Sperry House was built on Foot Lake near Willmar in 1893, and by 1898 Albert Sperry had platted the surrounding land, naming streets like Havana, Hawaii, Manila, and Porto Rico after Spanish-American War locations as he developed the neighborhood known as “Sperryville” (also called Homewood Park). With new homes, a well-known pedestrian bridge, and easy access to town, the area quickly grew into a desirable residential community—much of which still surrounds the Sperry House today.

First photograph is taken by John Sames on September 6, 1946.
Second photograph is taken by Gregory Harp May 24, 2026, 80 years later.

05/24/2026

We will be closed on Monday, May 25 for Memorial Day. We will resume our regular hours on Tuesday, May 26. Please join us at the Cemetery Walk at Svea Lutheran Church on Monday, May 25!

05/23/2026

We are open today!!! 10am-4pm & Free Admission

05/22/2026

We lost another dedicated volunteer. Gloria was a wonderful greeter and loved to learn about history. She helped us in many different ways. We will miss her wonderful smile. RIP Gloria.

https://www.hafh.org/obituary/Gloria-Tollefson?fbclid=IwdGRjcAR9lq9jbGNrBH2WpWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHowU2wK6zz6d3cz6uD8DjI52coNZELDsyAMGONMT5mx5-KoWGuE-lMSbNkqd_aem_j0JSOSwvy0kmdYVOYLf2zg

Celebrate the life of Gloria Tollefson and join others in sharing memories, stories, and condolences.

05/20/2026

🌟Summer Hours Being this weekend
🇺🇸 Free Admission

The Historical Society begins the summer hours this Saturday, May 23. We are now open:
Monday-Friday 9am-4pm
Saturday 10am-2pm

📣📣The Sperry House is temporarily closed due to restoration after a water leak this winter. We will let you know when it opens again.

➡️Guri Endreson Cabin will be open on Saturday Sunday 9am-4pm.

05/19/2026

🇺🇸Don't forget to stop by our cemetery walk this Memorial Day!🇺🇸
We will be at Svea Lutheran Church telling the stories of residents of Kandiyohi County. The Honor Guard will be at the cemetery around 9:00am and we will begin our tours shortly after that. A tour will start every half an hour to help it fit into your schedule. The church will also be open to tour and ask questions. Refreshments will be served by the Church.

05/08/2026

How big is your engine??🚂

A question we get alot, especially during school tours. Our school tour season has officially begun. To answer the question, the Great Northern Railway Engine #2523 locomotive and tender are 94 feet and 8 1/4 inches long and weighs 617,000 lbs. This picture show how big it is compared to a school bus🚍

05/06/2026

The Kandiyohi County Historical Society will be hosting a blood drive on Friday, May 29 between 9am-3pm. Make your appointment today!

To sign up:
☎️ Call 1-800-733-2767
💻 visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter Kandiyohi County
➡ scan the QR Code below

05/05/2026

Remember to sign up for our next event!
📞320-235-1881
➡https://forms.gle/C5WG49orSo4nCq6MA