In its May 28th, 1887 issue, the Fergus Falls Daily Journal reported that “news reached Fergus Falls that a bloody and inhuman murder had been committed in St. Olaf Township that was so horrific it made the blood run cold and caused one to wonder whether such a thing could be done by a human being.” While the reporter knew a terrible crime had been perpetrated, did he realize it would still be talked about today as one of the county’s most legendary acts?

This and other haunting stories will be told during the Otter Tail County Historical Society’s Haunted Museum on Friday, October 30, with programs at 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. As the museum takes on an eerie aura with darkened corridors, story tellers take to the stage to recount brutally realistic accounts of gruesome crimes and strange events from Otter Tail County’s past. As if the infamous Pig Farm Murder is not enough, there will be “new” stories this year including the ghastly acts of Carl Reher, the mysterious, unsolved murder of Mons Jacobson and the infamous house of ill repute on the Elizabeth road.

The Haunted Museum is not for the very young as there are vivid descriptions of violent events. So that parents can enjoy the stories and bring the kids, an age appropriate movie will be shown for $3 per child. Admission to the Haunted Museum is $5. For more information call the museum at 218-736-6038.

Celebrate the Otter Tail County Historical Society’s 82nd birthday with a dinner, program and silent auction on Thursday, October 15 at Mulligan’s Pub & Eatery in Perham.

Under the theme Remembering the 50s, the evening features a homestyle pot roast dinner, silent auction and a nostalgia filled program with master storyteller Bob Gasch. Gasch will elicit memories from the audience while weaving together local and national events, places and people from the 1950s.

Social hour begins at 5:30 with dinner at 6:30. People are encouraged to slick back their hair and wear their favorite poodle skirts, saddle shoes and jeans. Elvis impersonators are also welcome.

Tickets are $25. For an additional $15, a coach bus will be taken from the historical museum in Fergus Falls with stops at the BP stations in Battle Lake and Ottertail. Enjoy snacks and a beverage on the bus and leave the driving to us. The bus loads at 4:15 and leaves the museum parking lot at 4:30, Battle Lake at 5:00 and Ottertail at 5:30.

Please call the museum at 218-736-6038 to reserve a seat for dinner and the bus.

Meet at 4:51 p.m at the NEW Kiosk at the “Great Continental Divide” (located by the Big Chief restaurant) Come as you are or as your favorite Alien. Later you will head over to Latitude: 46.28 Longitude 96.09 (Otter Tail County Museum) to view the opening of the Science Fiction exhibit and meet with others that are OUT OF THIS WORLD!!! All ages are welcome.

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This exhibit opens Friday, October 9, 2009, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Admission for non-members on opening night is $3.00 for adults (ages 12 to adult), $1.00 per child (ages 5 to 11), children under 5 years old and members are FREE. Refreshments will be served. The entire gallery is open for reviewal.

“Encounters of the 3rd Kind” brings together the personal treasures of Science Fiction lovers of our community and beyond.

The exhibit runs from October 9, 2009 to December 18, 2009 to coincide with the BIG READ and FERGUS FALLS READS.

General admission rates will be charged after October 9, 2009.

We will start accepting loans of Sci Fi collectibles on Monday, September 28 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. through Friday, October 2 and until 9:00 p.m. Thursday, October 1, 2009.

The Otter Tail County Historical Society is calling all Science Fiction collectors to be part of a temporary community exhibition entitled Encounters of the 3rd Kind: A Convergence of Sci Fi Enthusiasts.

In celebration of The Big Read our community will be reading Ray Bradbury’s futuristic classic Fahrenheit 451. This sobering look at the near future is about ‘firemen’ who are charged with the responsibility of burning all books in order to wipe out dangerous and subversive ideas.

To honor the science fiction genre, the historical society will be accepting loans of sci fi collectibles for the new exhibit. Bring your toys, books, memorabilia and other sci fi “stuff” to the Otter Tail County Historical Museum between Monday, September 28 – Friday, October 2 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and until 9:00 p.m. Thursday, October 1.

A description of each item should be provided. All loans will be exhibited in a secure environment.

For more information contact the Museum at 218-736-6038. Live long and prosper!

We have been selected to host the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition Between Fences Feb. 6 to Mar. 20, 2010. This exhibit is brought to us by the Minnesota Humanities Commission and the Smithsonian Institute.

“Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless but because they’re priceless.” – Sherry Anderson

We will be honoring our volunteers on Monday, May 11 from Noon to 3:00 p.m. with a program featuring William L. Devitt, Author of Shavetail: The Odyssey of an Infantry Lieutenant in WWII at noon. Refreshments will be served after the program.

April 13, Part 5: A Deadly Calling
May 11, Part 6: Special Guest William L. Devitt Author of Shavetail
June 8, Part 7: A Deadly Calling
July 13, Part 8: Pride of Our Nation
August 10, Part 9: Pride of Our Nation

Meets at the historical society, beginning at noon. Coffee is served for a free will offering.