/usr/web/www.marshallindependent.com/wp-content/themes/coreV2/single.php
×

Nearly a dozen museums represented at expo

MARSHALL — From preserving local history to hosting community programs, southwest Minnesota museums do a lot. On Saturday, representatives from area historical societies and museums came together to let visitors know what they had to offer.

The third annual Museum Expo brought together representatives from nearly a dozen southwest Minnesota museums, ranging from Renville and Yellow Medicine Counties south to Cottonwood County.

“We want to do it at this time of year, because a lot of these museums are seasonal,” said Lyon County museum director Jennifer Andries. Visitors had a chance to learn about upcoming exhibits and projects at area museums, and plan ahead for the summer.

Participants in the expo said getting the word out about local museums was important, because of the different resources they offer.

The Cottonwood County Historical Society’s museum in Windom has an exhibit hall and art gallery, but it’s also a community gathering space, said staff member Janelle Kaye.

Area museums also play a role in preserving local and family history.

“We definitely see a lot of local people, but also people who moved out of the area and have come back,” said Brianna Krumwiede, who was at the expo representing the Yellow Medicine County Historical Society.

At the Murray County Historical Museum, “We get a lot of people coming for family research,” said Jakob Etrheim. Etrheim was representing both the Murray County museum, and the End-O-Line Railroad Park and Museum in Currie, where he is the site coordinator. End-O-Line draws more tourists than family researchers, but it also sees a lot of school groups visit, Etrheim said.

“There are always different people every day,” he said.

On Saturday afternoon, the expo was drawing visitors interested in learning about southwest Minnesota, as well as people curious about the Lyon County museum. Gerri Borewell and Sheila Senechal said they stopped in while they were in Marshall for the Big Sing choral event at Southwest Minnesota State University.

“We thought we’d see what’s going on in town,” Borewell said.

Marshall resident Waneta Shriver said she was at the expo because “I love going to museums, no matter where I go.” Shriver said she needed to get out and see more local museums.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.38/week.

Subscribe Today