ANOKA AREA HISTORY
Photos courtesy of Anoka The County Historical Society
The Round Barn Antiques, 3331 Bunker Lake Blvd. NW, Andover, MN. Photo taken July 1990.
The“ William Crook”, first railroad locomotive to Anoka, in 1864
Ramsey Town hall on St. Francis Blvd., formerly the Ramsey School District # 28.
Anoka Area History
The Anoka County Historical Society Welcomes You!
AnokaCountyHistory. org
History Center and Library, 2135 Third Avenue N, Anoka, MN 763-421-0600
Museum
You’ re living life today, but what happened in the past to create the world you know? Visit the Anoka County History Center and Library to discover thousands of stories in our collections archive. Take a selfguided tour through the exhibit gallery, currently home to the story of artifacts people have adopted, like an 1861 Springfield Rifled musket that belonged to Andrew Wickstrom. You can see how artist Jon Arfstrom“ constructed” the Castle on the Rum from sketch to finished painting or discover Anoka’ s own VEERAC car – spoiler alert, it’ s not quite in driveable condition. Museum admission is a donation only, and kids’ scavenger hunt activity sheets are available by request. Are you not able to make it to the history center in person? Visit AnokaCountyHistory. org and click“ exhibit hall” under“ what we do” for past and present displays.
30 | Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce | anokaareachamber. com
Collections
Every day, ACHS digitizes more of the collection, making it publicly accessible in our online archive, MNcollections( link on our website). After whetting your whistle there, stop in and discover more with our database, Collective Access. You’ ll find personal letters, photos, and 3-D artifacts from people who lived in Anoka County in the past – and not-so-distant past. Researchers and genealogists will enjoy our obituaries, newspaper collections, yearbooks, city directories, and other resources. Our non-circulating library collection contains resources on Minnesota history, and ACHS staff are available
to assist with research.
Programs
However you like to ingest your history, ACHS can deliver! Whether it’ s listening to our podcast, History 21, viewing online shows from our website, or in-person( check our calendar for the latest news!), we’ ve got the stories for you. Staff can visit your school classroom, host a tour for your Scout group, or present at civic organizations. We have a Museum in a Box ready for the classroom, homeschool, and senior center
exploration; just reserve your date. You can also find ACHS out and about at community festivals, the Anoka County Fair, Nowthen Threshing Show, or our perennial favorites--the Ghosts of Anoka Walking Tour.
As a small branch of the Anoka County Library Services Library system, you can select the History Center as a location to hold, check out, or return materials. We also have free Wi-Fi, public-access computers, study spaces, magazines, and daily newspapers.
Membership & Volunteering
Consider supporting local history through the gift of time, talent, or treasure. Volunteer opportunities include serving on our board of directors and committees, as a Ghost Tour guide, or working with the collection. Joining as a member allows you to vote in general elections, receive our newsletter every other month, advance notice of events, and special discounts. ACHS is a 501c3 nonprofit that operates at the courtesy of our donors. Our mission remains to gather, preserve, and share the stories of all the people and communities that are part of Anoka County. The Anoka County Historical Society is an inclusive organization accountable for presenting and celebrating the fold and untold stories of Anoka County. We invite people to join us on this journey to ignite curiosity about the past and to understand our shared experiences.