Watonwan County Historical Society
Watonwan County Historical Society
This is the Home Page of the Watonwan County Historical Society, affiliated with
Minnesota Historical Society, located at Madelia, Minnesota.
Purpose:
To effectively Link the Past, with the Present, And Preserve It, For the
Future.
History/Objectives:
The Watonwan County Historical Society was organized
in 1935. World War II ended those activities. Twenty-nine interested persons met
at the American Legion Post House, Madelia, in 1966 launching the present
organization. Four objectives were adopted:
- Preserve and mark historic sites;
- Work with the Minnesota Historical Society;
- Locate, record and preserve items of historic interest;
- Provide a fireproof building for their preservation and display.
Meetings:
Meetings are held annually at a county site to be announced.
They are usually held in April.
Membership:
We invite you to become a member of the Watonwan County
Historical Society. Annual dues are $10.00 for single/$15.00 for family;
Lifetime is $200.00.
The Society can be contacted at:
Watonwan County Historical Society
423 Dill Ave. SW,
Madelia, MN 56062
Telephone: (507)642-3247
E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]
Newsletter:
Members receive a newsletter two or three times a year.
Major Resources:
Historical Center:
- Hours;
- **Jan. Feb. March - open Wed. & Thurs. 9:00am to 12:00noon
and 1:00pm to 4:00pm.
- April, May, June, July, August, Sept. - open Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday, Thursday 9:00am to 12:00noon and 1:00pm to 4:00pm.
- **October, November - open Wed. and Thurs. 9:00am to 12:00noon
and 1:00pm to 4:00pm.
- December Please call ahead.
- **Winter hours may vary so please call ahead.
Admission is free but a $2.00 per person donation is appreciated. Exhibits
are in the main museum and breezeway leading to the building housing primarily
horse-drawn farm equipment. There are about 25 display areas including the
Younger Brothers Capture and a Drug Store area. The Ashippun Post Office, the
first Post Office in Watonwan County, a log cabin completely restored and
furnished as it was a hundred years ago, is housed in the farm equipment
building.
Research Library:
The research library at the Historical Center offers a
wealth of information for those interested in local history or family histories.
Research materials include: Business Histories/Documents, Cemetery Records,
Census for Watonwan County (microfilm), Church Records, Club and Organizational
Records, Family Histories and Documents, Genealogical files, Library Card
Catalog (index files), Maps, Military Records, Naturalization Records
(microfilm), area Newspapers (microfilm), Obituary Files, Periodicals and
Newsletters, Photograph Catalog file, Plat Books/Atlases and Indexes, Telephone
Books, Yearbooks, and more.
Group Tours:
Group tours are available by prior arrangement. Call (507)642-3247.
A map showing "A Suggested Scenic & Historic Tour" of the county
and locations of historic sites is available free by writing the Watonwan
County Historical Society at the address above. Please include a business-sized
self-addressed stamped envelope.
Special Note
The Watonwan County Historical Society is seeking a part-time director.
This position requires strong communication, administrative, and organizational skills.
The applicant must be self-motivated and have an appreciation for local history.
We would like the applicant to be experienced in the use of the Past Perfect Museum Computer Program.
Hours: April-September – 3 days/week, 6.5 hours/; October-May – 2 days/week, 6.5 hours/day
There may be occasional weekend work for special events.
If you are interested in this position, apply by Friday, March 1, 2019.
Send an application/resume to WCHS, 423 Dill Avenue SW, Madelia, MN 56062 or email to [email protected].
End Special Note
Publications:
- 1886 Watonwan County Plat Book with Watonwan History. It is a
complete 1886 plat book plus 46 Watonwan historical pictures and histories of
the county, each township, past and present villages and towns.
- Briefly written Facts, 1895. A St. James and Watonwan history with
34 pages and 42 pictures.
- A Souvenir of St. James, 1901. A 56 page booklet with county, city,
school, church and fire department histories plus business and professional
men and women biographies plus many pictures.
- Coming to America in 1868 and Thirty Years on a Farm. A 162 page
book written by O. Broste, I. G. Haycraft and C. M. Delling.
- Madelia in Retrospect.
These books and many more are for sale at the WCHS Museum, Madelia. For
current pricing and ordering information please contact Watonwan County
Historical Society by email at mailto:[email protected] or by mail: WCHS,
P.O. Box 126, Madelia, MN 56062.
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