Kandiyohi County Historical Society

Keeping Your Heritage Alive for 125 years!

The Kandiyohi County Historical Society is celebrating their 125th year!!!  The Kandiyohi County Historical Society (KCHS) was incorporated in 1940 under its current name, but had existed as the Old Settlers Association since 1897. At first, membership was restricted to those who had settled within what is now Kandiyohi County prior to the U.S. Dakota War of 1862, and their families. Today, anyone can become a member. This is particularly appropriate in our museum efforts to present the life and times of the history of Kandiyohi County which begins with the American Indians and continues with the original settlers through the beginnings of the settled contemporary community life in the county. The Society’s activities are managed by a board of directors, elected by the membership. Directors are all volunteers, assisted by a small professional staff. The twelve-member board of directors meets monthly to deal with policy and fiscal matters. A full-time executive director administers the operations and historical center. This small staff is supplemented by over 50 volunteers. The entire collection consists of over 31,000 catalogued items: objects, archives, photographs and books.  Most of the items date from the mid-1800s to contemporary. In addition, KCHS offers tours of the museum exhibits; the Sperry House, a turn-of-the-century restored Victorian home; District #18 country schoolhouse; an agriculture barn with farm equipment, tools and tractors; Great Northern Passenger Engine #2523; and the restored log cabin belonging to Guri Endreson, which is a site of the U.S. Dakota War. A new edition this past year was the Kaffe Fest Coffee Pot that now sits on our grounds!