Now Playing At The History Museum

1. Travel Through Time

The History Museum of East Otter Tail County is housed in an historic church built in 1887. Stonemason, Nathanial McConachie, built several such structures in Minnesota and North Dakota that are still in use.

2. A Lifetime of Music

Stories about some of the music and musicians of East Otter Tail County during the Golden Age of dance bands.

3. Nic Jahn - Photographer

The work of this 19th-20th century photographer captured the first settlers of the Perham area.

4. A Walk Through Perham

A series of clips from original motion picture footage from the 1920's.

5. Logging

The virgin forests the surrounded the Pine Lakes were cut in the latter part of the 19th century and floated down the Otter Tail River until they reached Fort Gary

6. Forgotten Towns of East Otter Tail County

Almora, Boardman, Bonita, Davies, Red Eye, Joy, Luce, Paddock, Redington, Richdale, Topelius-many have completely vanished and some are barely remembered.
Photographs and narrative exhibits.

7. Places Of East Otter Tail County

In a series of changing exhibits, the area's unique history is featured in this section of the Museum devoted to towns and townships of East Otter Tail County.
Photographs and interpretive exhibits.

8. The Paul Miller Collection Paul Miller, mayor of Perham for more than 30 years, left many legacies to the area. A portion of his collection is on permanent display in the Museum.

Work & Play

9. The First Tourists

Since the late 1800's, people have come to the area to fish, hunt and relax. Early resorts were often more like hotels, offering fine food and dancing, but what really attracted the crowds were the fish.
Photographic and interpretive exhibits.

10. From Baseball To Brass Bands

It takes teamwork to win a game or play a march.
A photographic exhibit featuring yesterday's players.

11. The River

The Ottertail River weaves through the county joining the many lakes for which the area is justly proud. From transporting logs in the early part of the century to the recreational uses of today, the river has played a significant role in the area's history.
Photographic and narrative exhibits.

12. The Early Days Of Medicine

It was a lucky accident that brought Dr. Brabec to the area. In 1902 he convinced the Franciscan sisters to build the St. James Hospital in Perham. From then on medical services were available to the people of East Otter Tail County.
Photographs and interpretive exhibits. Medical artifacts from St. James Hospital.

13. Quilting In the long nights of Minnesota winters, pioneer women recycled scraps of fabric into colorful and practical blankets to keep their families warm. Photographs and interpretive exhibits. Antique Quilts on loan from area families.

14. Staying In Touch

The Arvigs bought the Perham Telephone Company in 1950 but by then it already had 800 customers. Learn how the telephone system of East Otter Tail County first began from the people that made it happen.
Photographs and interpretive exhibits.

15. Travel Through Time

In the early days the Railroad was the only convenient link between rural Otter Tail County and the rest of the country. The trains brought mail, freight and educational materials to rural areas and carried away agricultural products to feed the rapidly growing cities.
Photographs and interpretive exhibits.

16. Family Trees

Trace the history of the families of East Otter Tail County.
Research and create your own family tree utilizing the resources of the History Museum's Genealogy Lab.

Of Special Interest

Genealogy Lab. Learn how to research your family history and make connections to resources worldwide via internet.

Museum Gift Shop. Browse a unique selection of gifts, books and games, all with a flavor of the past, now at our greatly expanded downtown location at 143 2nd Street SW.

Kids Make History. Award winning displays from History Day students are a frequent feature.