MILACA MUSEUM
What does it take to make a strong community ?
The right mix of people , location and good reasons for the two to come together . Milaca , like many communities that sprung up in the last quarter of the 19th century , was founded on the convergence of river , railroad and the logging boom , and the laborers and merchants who were drawn to these activities . Unlike many communities with their genesis in that time , Milaca did not disappear when the lumber ran out . And Milaca today owes much of where it is to where it has been .
The Milaca Area Historical Society is an all-volunteer organization that values Milaca ’ s past , and is dedicated to preserving , understanding and sharing local history . Founded in 1984 , MAHS started as primarily a genealogy group . In the 1970s Milaca ’ s Civic Club had begun to gather historical objects , and set up displays in the city hall . When the Civic Club disbanded in the early 1990s , MAHS agreed to take ownership of this collection , and thus began the historical society ’ s involvement with the Milaca Museum . The original Civic Club collection has over the years grown to 11,000 items , and the Milaca Museum expanded into what was once library space when the new library opened in 2007 .
Since that time , the Milaca Area Historical Society has offered to the public two large rooms of history displays , and a reference room full of local history resources . The Milaca Museum is housed in the historic WPA building that was once the Milaca Village Hall . This beautiful stone structure was added in 1936 to the original 1907 brick building that had housed the municipal power plant and fire department . In 1985 the whole building
was added to the National Register of Historic Places . The museum ’ s striking exterior , its auditorium decorated with logging-day murals , are unique treasures .
The museum welcomes visitors and researchers , and offers special tours to school groups , community organizations and reunion groups . Admission is free , and donations are gratefully accepted . Displays are changed periodically and highlight local schools , local businesses and military experiences of local people .
The Milaca Museum , located at 145 S . Central Avenue , is open Wednesday through Friday 1 p . m . to 5 p . m . from April through September . Group visits and research requests are welcome , and can be arranged year round by mail at PO Box 144 , Milaca MN 56353 , or email at milacamuseum @ gmail . com . The MAHS webpage is milacamuseum . org .
Phone : 320-982-1212
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Page 28 Milaca Community Guide • Spring 2025