No. 16: Historical Museum

Offering exhibits about Hollywood star Marion Ross and singer Eddie Cochran, the Freeborn County Historical Museum, Library & Village attracts patrons from all over the city, county and nation.

The museum, at 1031 Bridge Ave., last year underwent a $1.7 million expansion and now has 23,000 square feet of space, including exhibits, meeting space and a library.

“There’s something for everyone in here, whether they’re interested in the history of the county, in businesses or in exhibits ranging from dolls to machinery,” said Executive Director Pat Mulso.

The Freeborn County Historical Museum, Library & Village comes in at No. 16 on the Tribune’s list of favorite places of Albert Leans.

Mulso said the museum was built in 1965 and was first added onto in 1980. The most recent addition was completed in September 2013.

Some of the most popular exhibits are the Ross and Cochran exhibits, along with exhibits showcasing memorabilia from the former Albert Lea High School, including Col. Albert Lea, the ticket booth and lockers.

The museum’s library is presently the fastest growing part of the complex. Through the nine years she has served as executive director, Mulso said the museum has added between 30,000 and 35,000 pieces to the collection, including newspapers, cemetery records, church records and census records. Many items are on microfilm and some are accessed throughs museum subscriptions.

People don’t have to be from Freeborn County to do research on their family history, and the library offers lock-ins where staff at the museum help people with their family history. The staff also offers to make books of family histories for a cost.

Outside the museum is the historical village, which features 18 buildings, including a schoolhouse, a church and a log cabin, to name a few. Though parts of the historical village were in place before the museum was built, a majority was made in the ’60s and ’70s.

The village comes alive for families during the annual Autumn in the Village and for school-age children during Discover History Days.

Museum staff and volunteers also organize Eddie Cochran Weekend, an annual Christmas gathering, a style show, a Christmas tour of homes and defensive driving classes. Multiple organizations utilize the meeting space there.

Annual membership is $25 for individuals and $35 for families.

 

25 favorite places 

The Tribune staff compiled what it feels are the 25 favorite places of Albert Leans. The results will be published over the course of the coming month. What will be No. 1? Agree or disagree, it will be enjoyable to mull over and discuss. Send feedback to letters@albertleatribune.com.