Murray County Museum
MURRAY COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM
2480 29th Street
P.O. Box 61
Slayton, MN 56172
Phone: 507-836-6533
Email: museum@co.murray.mn.us
Museum Coordinator – Amy Foster
EMAIL: afoster@co.murray.mn.us
Site Coordinator/Collections Manager – Rose Moudry
EMIAIL: rmoudry@co.murray.mn.us
Click HERE for the Historical Society website
HISTORICAL MUSEUM
We are the biggest little museum in Southwestern Minnesota. The museum has a collection of over 10,000 artifacts on display and a library that contains family histories, newspapers and census records.
Our museum began in 1952, when Paul Scherlie donated an old farm wagon. Later, Wm. Leebens, Fair Secretary, and Audrey James, County School Superintendent, let the Historical Society use a display area in the school exhibit building.
The museum staff provides group tours, research assistance and historical presentations. The museum hosts special exhibits and open houses several times a year, with a Christmas Festival in December.
DINEHART-HOLT HOUSE
Charm and history become as much a part of an old house as the stone, brick or wood from which it was built. One such house is the C.E. Dinehart residence at Slayton, built in 1891, the same year as the Murray County Courthouse…..
Mr. Dinehart was one of the first men to come to Slayton and was one of the founders of the State Bank of Slayton. He also served as mayor. He and his wife had two children, a daughter, Florence, and a son, Clarence. Clarence became treasurer for the State of Minnesota, a position he held at the time of his premature death in 1910. Florence married Harvy Holt and they had three sons including Judge John Holt who was the last member of the Dinehart-Holt family to reside in the house.
The house was purchased by Murray County in 2007 to be used as a Historic House museum. The essential character of the house remains and provides visitors with a glimpse into early days of Slayton and Murray County.
The Dinehart-Holt House is available to rent for receptions and special occasions. For more information, please call 507-836-6533.
Admissions: There is no charge, however, free will donations are accepted.
Displays of Special Interest to Visitors Include
- A replica of one of the oldest churches in Avoca
- Early radios and phonographs
- An entire section devoted to old tools and machinery
- Genealogical Records and Library
- A Country Store
- A Railroad Display
- Indian Artifacts
- Glassware
- Furniture
Hours
- Tuesday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Closed Holidays
Winter hours are subject to weather conditions
For special arrangements or tours, call 507-836-6533.
Email: museum@co.murray.mn.us
Click HERE to see some historic photos of various Murray County landmarks. There are at least 10 pages of photos on the Minnesota Digital Library from the Murray County Historical Society.
GENEOLOGY
The ethnic heritage of Murray County is predominately German, Irish, Belgian, and Scandinavian. The Murray County Historical Society participates in a state and national genealogy web network and you can get information from these sites. For state-wide genealogical information, visit the Minnesota Historical Society website. If you have information regarding genealogy that would be helpful to residents or former residents, please contact the Murray County Historical Museum.
INFORMATIONAL WEBLINKS
Minnesota Historical Society