The first pioneers came here in 1879. Within three years 80 farms dotted the prairie. In 1883, Park Rapids had become the county seat and Hubbard County was incorporated. By 1889 more than 800 people thrived on its rolling plains lush forests. This room reflects the heritage and home life of early residents of this area.

A trapper arrived in Verndale in 1873 and told of the beautiful rolling prairies to the north. In 1879, reservation boundaries changed and the area was opened for homesteading. When those first settlers crossed the Shell River they discovered the huge expanse of prairie, burned off by the Native Americans for hunting. By logging in the winter and farming in the summer, the area was able to provide for the first settlers.

The desks in this room were from a school near Guthrie. When the building was moved to Lake George to become a gift shop, the furnishings were given to the museum. One teacher taught grades one through eight. She would arrive each day to build a fire and carry water in, hand pumped outside.

This is a typical setting of the first home that early pioneers lived in. Children slept on trundles that were placed under the bed during the day. Some cabins were fortunate to have a loft for sleeping quarters. Many houses had simple dirt floors packed smooth and covered with scatter rugs. Winters were very hard on the first settlers. They would spend nights pacing back and forth to keep from freezing. The first few winters they survived on rutabagas, believing it to be one of the few crops that would grow in such a harsh climate.

Contains vintage clothing worn by women and children of Park Rapids residents. Years ago flour came in brightly colored flour sacks. When the flour was gone the sacks were used to make dresses and quilt tops. In those days nothing was wasted, the pioneers made use of everything they could.

Most of the furniture here was used in the original courthouse. The Ira Benham Resource Center is located here. In addition to several other resources, the museum has an extensive library of Genealogy, Military, and Minnesota History for your use.

Most of the civil war memorabilia belonged to a local dentist, Dr. Kotowski who kindly donated his collection to the museum so the public could appreciate it. The authentic 1915 Hotchkiss machine gun was used in WWI and the wooden shoes are from WWII. A man was bombed down over the Netherlands and escaped wearing them, disguised as a Dutch farmer.

Offering a selection of classic toys and gifts, browse our shelves for books from the area.

Hosts a switchboard, a large collection of typewriters, cameras and similar equipment.

This room contains school memorabilia, artifacts, and an extensive anthology of year books.