Freeborn County Historical Museum - Albert Lea, MN 56007
1031 Bridge Street - Phone 507-373-8003
 

Pioneer Village

A. Library & Research Office - and archieves. Also special exhibits and auditorium in 4,800 sq. ft. air conditioned area.

B. Main Exhibit Areas - and office on two levels - 8,000 sq. ft. of air conditioned space. Kitchen & living room of yesteryears. Musical instruments, toy shop, doctor/dentist office, printing office, doll collection, pioneer living and much more.

C. Big Oak School - Typical one- room country school with complete and authentic furnishings including the memorable out-house.

D. Livedalen Log Cabin - Credited to be the first log house built in Freeborn County in 1853. Completely furnished with an upper level sleeping area.

E. General Store - Building filled with general merchandise and reminders of days long gone.

F. Telephone Office - Rural telephone switchboard in a residence living room. Talk over an old phone system.

G. Blacksmith Shop - A pleasant reminder on the horse and buggy days and the ring of the smithy anvil.

H. Woodworking Shop - Foot-powered equipment used by early craftsmen to make furniture, windows, and doors

I. Post Office - Equipped with very early type lock boxes, stamp window, and office items.

J. Village Church - Dating form 1872. Completely furnished - used for reunions, weddings, and church services.

K.Parsonage - Beautifully furnished with rare antique furniture to serve as a home by the church.

L. Hardware Store - Items to remind you of past days.

M. Shoe Repair Shop - A cobbler shop reminiscent of the days of half soles and heels for a $1.00 a pair.

N. Mill House - A collection of millstones from throughout the county - all that remains of the early mills that cracked corn and ground wheat.

O. Red Exhibit hall - Fire department, farm machinery, automobiles, tools and implements, steam engine - over 6,000 sq. ft. of display area.

P. County Jail - Steel lock-up used in a nearby village. A grim reminder of a typical frontier calaboose.

Q. Photo Studio - Often part of the living quarters. Finely furnished including the ever-present view camera.

R. Barber Shop - A single-chair shop with the bathtub annex. Tonsorial splendor on the era of the straight edge razor and strop.

S. City Bank - Small town bank with marble counter, steel vault and a rare safe.

T. Train Depot - Waiting room and ticket office - railroad tools, the usual baggage wagon and handcars on the track.