Otter Tail County Historical Society

08/29/2026

It has been a busy Saturday at the museum!
We welcomed back to Fergus Falls members of the first Vietnamese American families to come to Minnesota in 1975. The Vu family live in Louisiana now but they fondly remember their time here and attending Our Lady of Victory Church pastored by Fr. Fridgen. Their sponsor was Bill Swanson.

08/21/2026

Thank you Visit Fergus Falls for featuring the visit on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, by descendants of the First 85 to the Otter Tail County Historical Society at 1110 Lincoln Avenue West in Fergus Falls. The "A Legacy of Service" exhibit is located in the museum's Agriculture Wing and is a major temporary exhibit created and installed by OTCHS staff. It is on display through December 2026. Regular business hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

08/20/2026

08/20/2026

Don't miss this event!

08/18/2026

Thank you for featuring OTCHS, Karrie Carlson and Fergus Falls Daily Journal!

Crafts, guided tours and information presented at museum for Women's Equality day on Aug. 26.

08/13/2026

Have you driven past or walked up to the stately statue of a bearded man in leather regalia in Wright Park in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and wondered who he was and what he had done to be honored in this way? A Son's Tribute, an Artist's Triumph: The Making of the George B. Wright Statue, written by Steve Johnson, was published by the Otter Tail County Historical Society in July 2026. This well-researched and well-written book, with a soft-touch finish on its cover, is a great addition to everyone’s collection of local history books. Each page contains a photograph or two and interesting information about the man George B. Wright was, as well as about the woman who sculpted his likeness and the son who commissioned the monument. It is available for purchase in the Otter Tail County Historical Society's gift shop and on their website at https://www.otchs.org/ for $14.95 plus $6.00 shipping and handling.

08/12/2026

Celebrate the 19th Amendment and Women's Equality Day
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
10:00am to 4:00pm

The Otter Tail County Historical Society continues their celebration of America 250! with a special commemoration of Women’s Equality Day on Wednesday, August 26th from 10:00am-4:00pm. Museum visitors can make special Suffragist crafts or take a guided Women’s History tour of the museum with Education Coordinator Missy Hermes. Tours begin at 10:00am, 11:30am and 1:30pm.

When the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution was finally ratified by Congress on August 26, 1920, allowing for female voters, the date was declared “Women’s Equality Day.” Otter Tail County residents could proudly point to local leaders who helped make it happen. Discover the history of the people who helped secure our right to vote. Find out about Ole Sageng, the senator from Dalton known as the "Father of Minnesota Woman Suffrage” and Hannah Kempfer, the “Lady from Otter Tail,” a Norwegian immigrant girl from Erhard who became the First Woman Speaker of the House in Minnesota. Learn which city in Otter Tail County was the first to elect a woman mayor and much more.

For more information on the tour call OTCHS at 218-736-6038. No registration is needed.

08/05/2026

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❤️ Thank you to Helen and John Berg for donating a battery operated trimmer for lawn care.

❤️ Thank you to the anonymous volunteer who sprayed the weeds around our building last week. Please contact us at 218-736-6038 or [email protected]! We'd like to know who you are.

🤲We can always use more volunteers to help with maintenance items. Please get in touch with us if you'd like to share your time with us.

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07/31/2026

A little piece of Perham history!
Today marks 40 years since the building that houses the Perham Area Chamber of Commerce, City Offices, and City Council Chambers was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Built in 1902, this historic building is now 124 years old and has served many purposes over the years. Did you know it once housed both the city jail and the fire department? If you look at the east side of the building, you can still spot the faded white "Fire Dept." lettering, a small reminder of its fascinating past.
Here's to celebrating a building that has been at the heart of our community for well over a century!