Cokato Museum &
Akerlund Studio
Located across from Peterson Park
Park, , the Cokato Museum
houses much of the city’s heritage
heritage. . As
A s a cooperative effort
between the City of Cokato and the Cokato Historical
Society, the museum chronicles
hronicles Cokato’s ri
rich history
dating back to its early settlers.
Located on the corner of Fourth Street and Millard
Avenue, the museum features a va
variety
riety of permanent
exhibits, , along with featured exhibits
exhibits
exhibit s throughout the
year.
Past
ast exhibits have included “This Won’t Hurt One bit:
A Look at Past Medical Practices,” “ “Trains
Trains That Passed
in the Night: Railroad Photographs of O.Winston Link,”
and “Pedal Power!”
Artifacts
rtifacts from some of its most signifi cant historical
landmarks, such as the post offi ce, bank, pharmacy, and
dentist’s offi ce, are among the permanent displays.
The museum staff have expanded on several exhi
exhibits
bits in
the galler
gallery y in recent year
years.
s. The most recent update was
to the display highlighting Cokato’s long history of the
canning factories, an industry important to the
th success of
the e local economy. Video display monitors have also been
th
added to enhance some of the permanent galleries.
The exterior also
als o received a new look with the addition
of fi ve 9 9-f
-f t-by-7-foot
-foo
foot panels featuring rotating photos
from the m
mu
u seum’s collection.
Submitted photo
“Pedal Power!” was the 2017 summer exhibit at the Cokato
Museum, featuring several bikes, trikes, and similar modes
of transportation used throughout the decades, as well as
photos and text that show how local residents used them for
sport, recreation, and basic transportation.
Along with the temporary and permanent exhibits at
the museum, the Cokato Historical Society also hosts an
annual New Year’s open house with tin melting, a Finnish
custom used to “predict” what will happen in the coming
year.
In addition, the museum hosts an annual open house
acknowledging the birthday of the Village of Cokato,
along with programs/presentations.
programs/presentations
Over the last two years, the museum hosted three
different Escape Rooms, converting its gallery into a
challenging puzzle-maze based
base d on local history
histor y them
themes. . It
is the fi rst museum in the state to try this.
Listed on National Register of Historic Places,
Places the
Gust Akerlund Studio photography studio was built in
1905, and is another place that tells the story of Cokato’s
rich history. The studio, which is located just east of the
museum on Broadway Avenue, is open for viewing and
features original cameras, equipment, and furnishings
used by the early 20th century photographer.
Museum hou
hours
rs are Tuesday
Tu ay through Friday, 8:30 a.m.
to 4:30
4: 30 p.m.
p.m.; Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; closed
osed major
holidays.
holi
days. Group tours ar
are e available by appointment.
appointment . Che
Check
out the Cokato Mus
Museum’s
eum’s w ebsite, www.cokatomuseum
www.cokato useum.
org f for
or mor e de
details,
tails, or call (320) 286-24
286-2427.
27. There is no
admission fee.
Offi cial Guide to Dassel-Cokato 2018-19
49