Museum

Hours 
1 - 4
Thu - Sun

Museum Director
Cynthia (Galusha) Perkins
October 2021 Quarterly Article

2023 Theme and Exhibit
​Woods and Water
Featuring 100 years at Camp Che-Na-Wah

By Cynthia (Galusha) Perkins MHS Museum Director 

We have created a master list of lakes, ponds, streams and mountains in the Minerva area, and the people who were associated with them, like Francis Donnelly and Donnelly Beach, Winslow Homer who painted at North Woods Club and let’s help celebrate the Anniversary of Camp Che-na-wah, which sits on Balfour Lake!

For each “Woods or Water” display, there will be a little history given, some pictures and the inclusion of trail heads/hiking trails. Our plan is to “publish” a little guide book, which will contain a little article telling the length & duration of the trip, include some terrain & woodland features and how our “Minerva Guide(s)” felt about the hike/experience.

This is a great way to get to know and enjoy Minerva’s wonderful natural resources! Just to mention a few, we will explore: Moxham & Vanderwhacker Mountains, Minerva Lake, Minerva Stream, Trout Brook, Stony Pond, Boreas Loop, Lester Dam, Rankin Pond, Hewitt Pond, Cheney Pond, Mud & Huntley Ponds, Moxham Pond and many more. Come visit our Minerva Woods & Water!

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Museum History

The Minerva Historical Society was formed in 1955. It is a nonprofit, educational organization formed to promote public interest in Minerva's History and folklore. The Methodist Church building in the center of the Olmstedville Hamlet was deeded to the Society in 1979 and by 1981, the museum was opened to the public. 
The museum opens every year on Minerva Day in July with a brand new theme and exhibit.  Exhibit items include items kept in museum storage and those loaned to the museum by our local residents.

Exhibits

The museum has two permanent exhibits -- THE TREE OF LIFE Mural with charts and files to research ancestry of the original settlers of Minerva, and WINSLOW HOMER prints of his original oils and water colors painted here in Minerva.
The museum is also home to religious artifacts, remaining from the building’s original purpose as a Methodist Church.

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Museum Opening - July, 2023

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Museum Opening Ceremony 2023

Museum Opening Photo Stream 2023