24 • 2023 • Morrison County Record • www . mcrecord . com • Sumer Visitors Guide area Historical Sites & Museums area
Borgstrom House and Park
The Borgstrom House Museum and Park is owned by the Upsala Area Historical Society ( UAHS ). Donated to the Society in 1983 by Axel and Carrie Borgstrom , the building contains a wealth of local historical artifacts . The house is open by appointment or by chance . For more information about the Borgstrom House or UAHS events , visit www . cityofupsala . com .
Charles Lindbergh House and Museum
The Charles Lindbergh House and Museum explores the complicated legacy of the first solo aviator to make a nonstop flight across the Atlantic from New York to Paris . The site includes Lindbergh ’ s boyhood home , a National Historic Landmark , and a visitor center with museum exhibits . It is located across from Charles A . Lindbergh State Park , two miles south of Little Falls at 1620 Lindbergh Drive . Hours from May 27 – Sept . 3 , are Friday and Saturday , 10 a . m . – 4 p . m . The site is closed Monday through Thursday and Sunday . The site is open for special events and private tours are available in a limited capacity . For more information , visit www . mnhs . org / lindbergh , call ( 320 ) 616-5421 or email lindbergh @ mnhs . org .
Charles A . Weyerhaeuser Memorial Museum
The Charles A . Weyerhaeuser Memorial Museum provides visitors with an inviting setting to reflect on the history of the area . The building design is reminiscent of the buildings at old Fort Ripley and the original Morrison County Courthouse . Exhibits within highlight the stories of Morrison County ’ s diverse people , recreation , natural history , lifestyles and industry , focusing on the Pine Tree Lumber Company . A fountain graces the outdoor courtyard , along with a gazebo that overlooks the Mississippi River . Prairie flowers and grasses add a landscaping touch from the past . Visitors may seek assistance researching Morrison County history and genealogy . The museum operates a YouTube channel that uploads recordings of events , as well as short videos on county history . Subscribe by going to https :// www . youtube . com / channel / UCV3GC1akugI0Qbp6Oab3tow The museum is owned and operated by the Morrison County Historical Society . The museum is open year-round , except for major holidays , off-site events , bad weather and pandemics . Check website — https :// morrisoncountyhistory . org — for info on hours . There is no admission fee . The museum is located at 2151 S . Lindbergh Drive , Little Falls . For more information , call ( 320 ) 632-4007 .
Crane Meadows Wildlife Refuge
The Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1992 to protect and enhance waterfowl and other migratory bird habitat . Visitors are invited to experience the refuge from the scenic three-mile Platte River Trail . Sandhill cranes and a host of other wildlife may be seen or heard as they use the sedge meadows , shallow lakes and other wetlands on the refuge . The refuge is open daily , from one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset . The Platte River Trailhead is located at 19502 Iris Road , Little Falls . For more information , call ( 763 ) 389-3323 .
Linden Hill Historic Estate
Built in 1898 , the homes of Charles A . Weyerhaeuser and Richard “ Drew ” Musser in Little Falls are a reminder of the lumbering era in Minnesota . The homes were donated to the city of Little Falls by the Laura Jane Musser Trust and are on the National Register of Historic Places . The Linden Hill Historic Estate had been cared for and sustained by the non-profit organization , The Friends of
Linden Hill since 2007 . The Weyerhaeuser mansion is the Linden Hill Museum where the stories of both families are told , as well as the history of the early lumber industry . It has three fascinating floors containing thousands of family artifacts to tour . The Musser Mansion is available for lodging and events . The entire home can be rented for weddings , weekend getaways , retreats and business conferences . All the rooms have either a view of the Mississippi River or of the beautiful grounds filled with gardens . Linden Hill Museum tours are offered Memorial Day through Labor Day , Thursdays and Fridays , from 10 a . m . - 2 p . m . and Saturdays , 10 a . m . - noon , with tours beginning on the hour . The seasonal gift shop located in the schoolhouse is open during tour hours . Bus tours can be arranged by appointment . Call ( 320 ) 616-5580 or visit www . linden-hill . org .
Historic Rural School and Museum
Anyone can visit Morrison County ’ s Historic Rural School and Museum , situated on the Morrison County Fairgrounds , from May through possibly October . This school system operated in Belle Prairie Township for the years of 1849-1971 . This building , the third , served as an educational edifice for 96 consecutive years ( 1875-1971 ) and was closed when the state mandated the closing of all remaining country schools in 1971 . Restored and refurbished , it is ready for a teacher and the first day of school . The school is always open for touring during the days of the Morrison County Fair and can be open by request for any organization or individual or during an event on the fairgrounds . To make arrangements , call Dorothy ( Lindquist ) Ratzloff at ( 320 ) 632-6082 .
Minnesota Fishing Museum and Hall of Fame
The Minnesota Fishing Museum and Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the heritage and history of freshwater fishing in Minnesota . Guests can see thousands of artifacts , fishing boats , motors , rods and reels , invasive species display , the 270-gallon aquarium exhibiting native species of Minnesota and replicas of Minnesota ’ s state record fish . The O-Fish-L Gift Shop has T-shirts , sweatshirts , souvenirs , art prints , books , playing cards , blankets , cookbooks , cribbage boards , novelty items , outdoor “ cabin ” décor and much more . The museum is handicapped accessible and located at 304 West Broadway , Little Falls . Visit www . MNFishingMuseum . com or www . FishingHallofFameMN . com to find out more about becoming a master angler or to read about the Minnesota Fishing Hall of Fame Legends . Hours are Wednesday through Saturday , from 10 a . m . – 5 p . m . Admission : $ 10 adults , $ 8 seniors and $ 5 students , 5 and under enter for free . Group and school tours are available . Call ( 320 ) 616-2011 or email MNFM @ MNFishingMuseum . com for more information or to become a supporting member .
Minnesota Military Museum and Library
Discover the stories and contributions of Minnesotans who served and sacrificed , from our state ’ s earliest years to the present , in all branches of service and on the home front at the Minnesota Military Museum located just inside the main gate of Camp Ripley , north of Little Falls . Outside exhibits for the kids to play on include tanks and wheeled vehicles , a Jeep exhibit , along with helicopters , planes and cannons . Permanent indoor exhibits for all ages include America at War , covering America ’ s major wars since statehood in 1858 , State Forces , Minnesota ’ s Armed Forces and National Guard , Forts on the Frontier , early Minnesota forts and garrisons , The Arms Room , with a large collection of military small arms and machine guns and The Honors Exhibit , Minnesotans who received the Medal of Honor