“Wednesday afternoon’s train on the Great Northern road had attached a special car from the St. Peter asylum, and in the car were 80 lunatics, the first detachment that has arrived from the other asylums.” With this announcement in the July 31, 1890 Fergus Falls Weekly Journal, the Fergus Falls State Hospital received its first patients. For over 100 years thousands of people entered the State Hospital generating myths and legends that will remain for generations.
The Otter Tail County Historical Society examines this lore with “Myths & Legends: Stories from the Fergus Falls State Hospital” on Friday, September 4, 5:30 p.m. People should park in the Government Services parking lot and proceed to the front of the West Detached section of the state hospital complex. From this location the tour will proceed around the building where stories will be told of happenings behind the brick and mortar. Stories that are shrouded in mystery and legend. Stories told in muffled whispers that are part of our lore.
This is not an architectural or facilities tour. It is a storytelling tour meant to bring the history of the Fergus Falls State Hospital to life. The cost is $5 and will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m. For more information contact the Otter Tail County Historical Society at 218-736-6038.
Myths & Legends: Stories from the State Hospital
Posted August 24, 2009 by otchsCategories: Fergus Falls, Historical Society, Minnesota Otter Tail County, Otter Tail County Minnesota
Sci Fi Exhibit at Museum
Posted August 24, 2009 by otchsCategories: Fergus Falls, Historical Society, Otter Tail County, Otter Tail County Minnesota
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!
Ticket Available for Home Brewers Festival
Posted August 3, 2009 by otchsCategories: Fergus Falls, brewers
Advance tickets are now on sale for the Otter Tail County Historical Society’s Home Brewers Festival on Friday, August 21, 7:00 p.m. at the Fergus Falls VFW.
The Brewers Festival features over 20 home wine and beer makers providing samples of their finest product. Since they cannot sell their beer or wine this is the one chance to see what they have to offer.
Tickets are available at the Otter Tail County Historical Museum, Falls Bakery, from any number of home brewers, and on our website Advance tickets are $12, $15 at the door. For more information call 218-736-6038.
Brewers’ Fest 2009
Posted July 31, 2009 by otchsCategories: Fergus Falls, Historical Society, brewers
Make sure you don’t miss an annual highlight of Fergus Falls night life.
When: Friday, August 21, 2009 7:00pm – 11:00pm
Where: VFW, 420 E. Washington Ave., Fergus Falls
Cost: $12.00 in advance or $15.00 at the door
Includes: Hors ‘doeuvres and the finest samples of the area’s homemade beer and wine.
Why?: To have fun, sample great homemade beer and wine, and support the Otter Tail County Historical Society.
Click the link above for more information and the purchase your advanced tickets!
No Fireworks in Fergus Falls
Posted June 23, 2009 by otchsCategories: 4th of July Celebrations, Chamber of Commerce, Fergus Falls
Reminder to all that this year there are not going to be fireworks in Fergus
Falls due to lack of funding. Call the Chamber of Commerce for suggestions
of nearby communities that offer fireworks this year- 218-736-6951
Jean Bowman
Executive Director
Fergus Falls CVB
112 W. Washington Ave.
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
800-726-8959
218-332-5425
218-205-1251 cell
218-332-5424 fax
www.VisitFergusFalls.com
Old Fashioned 4th of July Family Festival
Posted June 23, 2009 by otchsCategories: 4th of July Celebrations, Fergus Falls, Historical Society, Otter Tail County Minnesota
Looking for a unique, family friendly old time event to celebrate our nation’s independence. Look no further than the Otter Tail County Historical Museum’s Old Fashioned 4th of July Family Festival on Friday, July 3, 4-8 p.m. on the Museum grounds in Fergus Falls.
Nothing fancy at this party, just an old time atmosphere with music from the Tickwoods, homemade food, games, crafts, patriotic speeches, contests and sideshows. Activities begin with the kids parade down the sidewalk by Lincoln Ave. Bring the little ones dressed in patriotic or historic costumes on their bikes or wagons. Assemble at 3:45 p.m. in the museum parking lot.
All other activities begin at 4:00 p.m. including lawn games for the little ones. The entire family can participate in the water race, potato race, and sack races. In keeping with the museum’s theme of myths and legends this year, the Gus Comstock Olympics and Van Praag Games will be unveiled. Based on events made famous by these Otter Tail County legends will be heel-to-toe races, gum chewing relays and the inaugural milk guzzling contest with our celebrity judge the West Otter Tail Dairy Princess. Prepare to remain messy with the ever popular egg toss.
While all this is going on grab a hot dog, barbecue and a slice of homemade pie from our food stand. Don’t forget to enter a pie in our pie bake off. Please only bring fruit pies. Have them at the museum by by 3:30 p.m. After judging they will be sliced for made available in the food stand.
In addition to all these activities, the museum exhibit gallery will be open at no charge.
The Otter Tail County Historical Museum’s Old Fashioned 4th of July Family Festival is a great way to begin your holiday weekend. No frills, no gimmicks, just old fashioned family fun. Special thanks to our sponsors Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Bank of the West, Park Region Mutual Telephone/Otter Tail Telcom, Service Food, Viking Coke and Larry’s Supermarket in Battle Lake.
VOLUNTEER/MEMBERSHIP APPRECIATION PICNIC
Posted May 28, 2009 by giftshopmanagerCategories: Membership, Volunteer
Volunteer/Membership Picnic 2008 & Missy Hermes, Educator
Volunteers and members of the Otter Tail County Historical Society–We salute you!
To let you know just how much we appreciate your support and assistance, especially in light of the current economic realities of today, we invite you to enjoy a picnic with us. Mark the date of Tuesday, June 16 at 5:00 p.m. and plan on an evening of good food and fellowship.
We will provide the BBQ sandwiches, beverages, all paper products, and the entertainment. Missy Hermes, our educator, will give a program entitled Otter Tail County: Faith Matters about the religious origins of Otter Tail County.
People with last names A-H may bring a casserole, those with I-P may bring a salad, and Q-Z may bring a dessert.
Please join us so we can thank you personally for all you do to support the mission of the historical society.
New Item in the Gift Shop
Posted May 26, 2009 by giftshopmanagerCategories: Military - World War II
MINNESOTA HISTORY
Quarterly publication of the Minnesota Historical Society
Special Double Issue: Minnesota’s Greatest Generation
$10.00 each
Remember, members receive a 10% discount on most items in the gift shop.
