How to Visit the Museum:

The Museum is located in Van Dyk Park on the west end of Fergus Falls on Lincoln Avenue. Space in the park is available for picnic lunches. We are handicapped accessible. Strollers and wheelchairs are available. Food and drink are not allowed in exhibit areas. We operate in a smoke free environment.

Gift Shop:

Take a part of Otter Tail County home with you. Our gift shop offers items for every age group. Children will discover arrowheads, paper dolls, twig crayons, farm animals and wildlife figures. Adults will find local history books, unique hand-carved otter letter openers and many hand-crafted items. If group members wish to shop, allow a few extra minutes before you leave the museum.

Museum Hours:

The Otter Tail County Historical Museum is open weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Saturday hours run from 10:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. June-August.

For the most up to date information on holiday closures, please call 218-736-6038. We recommend calling ahead if you plan to visit on or near a holiday. We attempt to keep the most up to date information on our Events page. However, a call will provide the most accurate information.

Membership:

As a member of the Museum, you receive free admission every day; 10% gift shop discount on most items; invitations to special events; previews of special exhibits; and subscriptions to the Society's publications, The Record, and our newsletter. Most importantly, you become part of a special team of people dedicated to preserving the history of this county.

Admission:

Ages 12 to adult: $5.00

Ages 5-11 $2.00

Children under 5: Free

Members: Free

Library: $6.00

Admission rates are subject to change. Contact us for more information.

Museum Lessons:

The museum can come to you. A fee of $20 plus mileage is charged to non-member schools outside Otter Tail County. There is no charge to Otter Tail County schools and member schools. Contact us for more information.

Photography:

Cameras and video recorders are not allowed in exhibit areas for conservation and security reasons.

Group Visits:

Select a field trip theme or tour that ties in with your curriculum or subject. Prepare your group for their visit by discussing the museum. You may choose to hang coats in the museum's entry or in the library area. All groups must register.

Cancelling Your Visit:

Call us at (218) 736-6038 as soon as you know you must cancel. Inclement weather may cause us to reschedule your tour as well.

Chaperones:

Teachers are responsible for their group's behavior throughout the entire visit. Discuss roles and responsibilities with chaperones. Groups who are disruptive may be asked to leave the building. To make your visit more enjoyable, divide into smaller groups before your visit, and assign one chaperone to each group. Suggested group size: 10-15 children.

Chaperone requirements: 1 for every 10 students. Chaperones must stay with their students.

Planning Your Tour:

Guided tours are available for organized groups at any time of the year. Please make reservations at least two weeks in advance and include the following information:

•School/Group name-grade level

•Number of students/adults

•Date and time requested

•Contact name and phone number

•Special requests

Types of Tours:

Our most popular tour covers every aspect of the museum, while an in-depth tour emphasizes a specific area of the museum. Specialized tours can be arranged according to your needs. For example, a special tour of the archives can be arranged. Please allow 1 hour for guided tours.

Walking Tours:

Walking tours of the following historic areas can be conducted for your group. Historic points and architecture are emphasized. Tour guides may use photographs and community buildings to illustrate the architectural changes that have occured over the past 100 years.

•Historic Downtown Fergus Falls

•Historic Downtown Pelican Rapids

•Fergus Falls River Walk

•Historic Lake Alice, Fergus Falls.

•Regional Treatment Center, State Hospital