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Wanamingo Township Exhibit 

On exhibit through December 2010


Aspelund



GCHS Permanent Collection Exhibits

We have been collecting to preserve the county's heritage since 1869. Objects from the collections are displayed according to theme on three floors of exhibits.
 

Archaeology	Agriculture	Geology
Immigration and Early Settlers	Native Americans	Clay Industry
Medicine, Law, Government	Industry, Labor, and Business	Military
Rural School Room	Pioneer Churches	Sports

First Level

Agriculture From early Native American occupancy to the present day, agriculture has played an important role in the lifestyle of county residents. These exhibits focus primarily on the changes in agriculture that have been experienced since the coming of white settlers in the 1800s.

Native American History Coming Home: The Prairie Island Indian Community exhibit focuses on a century in the life of the Dakota people who reside today at Prairie Island.

Second Level
 

A.P. Anderson's gun for puffing grains

Industry, Labor and Business Most of the early industries and businesses in Goodhue County were linked with agriculture, which was the county's principle occupation. Using the water power of the rivers, flour mills were constructed to process the wheat. Other industries included breweries, cigar manufacturers, general stores, blacksmith shops, saw mills, quarries, lumber companies and cooperages, which provided the thousands of barrels needed for storage and shipment of produce.

Clay Industries In this exhibit the importance of the clay industry to Goodhue County is portrayed through story text and a wide variety of items produced by county businesses. The clay industry involved not only pottery-making but also brick and sewer pipe manufacturing and the labor involved in the actual mining of the clay.

Medicine, Law, and Government This area offers a look at past individuals and events involved with the professions in Goodhue County since the arrival of white settlers in the 19th century. Military An exhibit that examines the involvement of county residents in military forces from the Civil War through the aftermath of World War II. There are a variety of photographs and artifacts on view, including a "hands-on" machine gun.

Aurora Ski Club, began in 1883

Sports Since the beginning of recorded history, sports have played an important role in the lives of people demonstrating that people of the past felt there was more to life than hard work. The exhibit contains a pictorial collection of area teams and individuals.  People used whatever equipment they could afford and had great fun competing.

Lower Level

Rural Schools of Goodhue County This exhibit is one of the more unique and interactive displays in the museum. The room was created to represent the "typical" one-room rural school that one would have encountered during Goodhue County's past. There are student desks with ink wells, a water cooler, stove, and teacher's desk plus many artifacts on display.

Rural School Room Exhibit

Pioneer Churches
Located on the landing between the ground floor and the basement is an exhibit area which contains displays pertaining to the history of churches in Goodhue County and that of music halls and instruments.

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