Here, you will find Our Mission;
an introduction to KHC and Who We Are;
and "The Gift", a message about KHC.
Our Mission
It is the mission of the Kanabec County Historical Society / Kanabec History Center to collect, preserve, and maintain the history of Kanabec County and the history of the people who helped make Kanabec County what it is today. It is our mission to readily make our collection and archives available to all parties.
Who We Are - An Introduction to KHC
(The Kanabec History Center opened to the public on June 24, 1978. Operated by the Kanabec County Historical Society, the Center is located on 37 acres bordering the Snake River on the west side of Mora, MN. The main facility contains an exhibition hall, climate-controlled storage areas, reference library, gift shop, and office space. The recently remodeled banquet room serves as a rental facility. It is also available for meeting use and other community classes. The one-room Whittier Schoolhouse is used for Old Tyme Country School classes each summer. Webster School is our smallest one-room schoolhouse and available with Whitter to tour as part of our outdoor exhibits from May - October. Coin School, constructed in 1898, and is currently closed to the public.
The facility hosts artistic, historic, educational and cultural events. The collection includes an excellent cross-section of items relevant to the county's history. You can find our upcoming events Here and an event archive Here, and information on our current exhibits Here.
The History Center is funded through memberships, donations and fundraising activities. We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and as such all donations and memberships are most likely tax deductible.
The Kanabec County Historical Society and History Center are NOT a part of any city, county, or state government department. This organization is a member of, but is not funded by, the Minnesota Historical Society.
The Center is completely accessible to the handicapped. The Offices and Museum are open year-round, Wednesday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Saturdays 9:00am - 12:00pm from May through September.
Group tours are by appointment only. We are closed some holidays.
Museum admission price for non-members is $2 for students K-12, $5 for adults, and $12 for families (4+). Member admission is free.
Access to Research Materials is $20/hour if Staff provides for non-members, and is free for members. (Staff assistance.)
This letter is titled "The Gift" and is a moving message about
what KCHS/KHC means to the community, and what the community means to KCHS/KHC.
The Gift
At Kanabec History Center, we believe that history is made every day by everyday people. We are not just about old stuff. We are memories, stories, people, and the life and times of our residents. People often experience a wide variety of emotions after finding the pieces of history they have come searching for. Some have been searching for years. We receive huge 'Thank You's for the work we do protecting history and keeping it accessible.
40 years ago, Kanabec County received a gift. This gift came from Pete McVay in honor of his deceased wife, Rosemary McVay. The Kanabec County Historical Society and the people of Kanabec County were given a place to store and preserve these gifts of memories. The McVay family still owns “The Farm” located in Kanabec County. They continue supporting the preservation of Kanabec County’s history with a gift of monetary support annually to the historical society.
The following three paragraphs are a quote from Pete McVay’s groundbreaking speech for the Kanabec History Center Building, spoken July 12, 1977.
“We have an interest in history because we know that we are whatever we are largely because of those who preceded us. We know that we have what we have, we live as we live in no small measure because of their work and sacrifices".
From our fathers and forefathers, we have received faith, moral standards, a code of ethics, from numerous cultures and traditions. We have received appreciation of beauty, kindness, and love. We have been taught to seek knowledge. We have been inspired to search for a better life – a life better not only in a material way but a life that reflects a better understanding and more consideration of our neighbors and all men.
We are indeed a fortunate people. For as our forefathers’ courage, determination, sacrifices, vision, and love were great – so great is our heritage, so great are our benefits.”
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