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July 5, 2007

New Museum Exhibit to Open During Riverfest

            The Anoka County Historical Society is delighted to announce the opening on July 14^th, of a new exhibit at the History Center.  Focused on the growth and development of Anoka County’s 21 municipalities, the exhibit entitled From Roots to Roofs can be viewed on Saturday, July 14^th from 10am to 4 pm, and continuing as a long term exhibit.  Admission costs $3.00 for adults and $2.00 for children of school age.

            This new exhibit explores the beginnings of the 21 incorporated communities in Anoka County.  It tells the story of how towns and cities grew from the original eight townships established when the county was organized in 1857.  In addition to artifacts from the various cities and townships around the county, there are many photographs of town and city halls, dating from the earliest days of the communities to the present.

            They tell some wonderful stories. At one point a safe in Burns needed to be opened with a blow torch! Find out who did it and how it was achieved and why it was necessary in the first place!  Find out how some rather quirky names were given to places like Nowthen. And why some place names, like Cedar and Soderville and Johnsville, won’t appear on a map. Learn about the part of the county that was once a county unto itself. And see how frugal pioneer folk made their town halls do double duty as everything from a school to a dance hall.

            The admission price also covers the other exhibits on display at the History Center including Picturing Anoka County: 150 Photos for 150 Years, and Vietnam: The Veteran’s Experience, along with the agriculture exhibit, Farms and Families: The Winds of Change.

            For additional information, please call the History Center at 763-421-0600 or visit the website at www.ac-hs.org.