McLean County Historical Society-ND

McLean County Historical Society-ND Included is the Joe Taylor Cabin, the Sioux Ferryboat and the Nettle Creek Schoolhouse. This was the first project of the historical society.

The McLean County Historical Society preserves the history of McLean County and North Dakota and shares it with the public with a museum located in Washburn, the McLean County seat. In November 1968, the Society opened the McLean County Museum in the 1905 Courthouse. In 1969, the Society researched and built Fort Mandan (a replica of where Lewis and Clark wintered in 1804) , west of Washburn. Cons

truction of the fort was completed in 1972. The Society owned and operated the fort until 1997. The North Dakota State Historical Society now leases Fort Mandan. The Society has history on Lewis & Clark and Sakakawea, plus a fine display of Indian artifacts and Mclean County history. The Museum also has many display about McLean County and North Dakota.

08/27/2026

This week's water tower is in the City of Washburn, North Dakota. Washburn is the oldest city in McLean County. The Lewis and Clark Expedition arrived at the Mandan-Hidatsa Indian villages on the Upper Missouri River on October 25, 1804 at present day Washburn. The city of Washburn was officially founded on November 1, 1882.

If there's a water tower you would like us to feature, please send your photo to [email protected].

đź“·Credit: Rachel Takala

08/21/2026

The museum will be closed on
August 25th to attend a funeral.

08/15/2026

Thank you to the McLean County Sheriff’s Department

07/30/2026

Museum will be CLOSED
July 31 and August 1
Sorry for the inconvenience

07/20/2026

Museum will be CLOSED
July 22-24.
Sorry for the inconvenience

Mark your calendars to come out for the memorial dedication for one of Washburn’s home town heroes……Clint Hill
06/09/2026

Mark your calendars to come out for the memorial dedication for one of Washburn’s home town heroes……Clint Hill

Thank you to the Knife River Indian Village for their presentation at the Nettle Creek School for the Washburn Public Li...
06/01/2026

Thank you to the Knife River Indian Village for their presentation at the Nettle Creek School for the Washburn Public Library summer reading program.

A fun event to attend.If you came to the summer reading program, one of the speakers talked about this event.
06/01/2026

A fun event to attend.

If you came to the summer reading program, one of the speakers talked about this event.

05/28/2026

McLean County Museum will be having a free-will offering book sale (cookbooks and Washburn High School yearbooks) during Riverboat Days on Saturday-June 6th after parade until we close at 3 pm.

We have old and new cookbooks. Some from towns/people of North Dakota. Many came from a book sale at Dakota Farms.

We have many yearbooks from various years.
Stop in and see if we have one you might be missing.

Washburn Public Library’s Summer Reading Program starts Monday-June 1 at the Nettle Creek Schoolhouse.Every Monday at 1 ...
05/28/2026

Washburn Public Library’s Summer Reading Program starts Monday-June 1 at the Nettle Creek Schoolhouse.

Every Monday at 1 pm until July 20.

Hope to see you there 🙂

Address

602 Main Avenue
Washburn, ND
58577

Opening Hours

Monday 11am - 4pm
Tuesday 11am - 4pm
Wednesday 11am - 4pm
Thursday 11am - 4pm
Friday 11am - 4pm

Website

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