Harbour House Museum has opened for the season.
Read more: Local, Community, Tourism, Native American, Steamboat House, Artificts, Diamond Drill, History, Collection, Antiques, Exhibits
CRYSTAL FALLS -- During a time when people are finding every way they can to cut back, many of them are turning to attractions in their own backyards. The Harbour House Museum in Crystal Falls is one such treasure, featuring rooms full of memorabilia and a library of local history.
They say they don't make things like they used to and that's certainly the case at the museum. Constructed as a residence in the early 1900s, the steamboat-style structure is now home to memories of the city's past.
The crown jewel of the museum is the Ojibwe Indian room, a collection of Native American artifacts on loan to the museum from the Earl R. Nyholm collection. It's also one of the largest collections of Native American memorabilia in the country.
The museum takes pride in having a little something for everyone to enjoy.
"Little children come in here because this is hands-on," said museum board member Donna Nelson. "They can go in the kitchen and look at all of the things that were used in the, quote, 'olden days' of their great-grandmother and they enjoy seeing and using all of the things that are here. We have a children's room upstairs that's hands-on. So people of all ages can come here and enjoy and see what history was."
And in a time when many non-profits are struggling to keep afloat, the museum finds generosity from the community both through the donation of items and money. In addition to general donations, they also raise funds by doing genealogical research for local families.
"We get a good donation basis just from people looking up family records," Nelson said.
The museum opened last week and is featuring a new exhibit honoring those who have served our country. The display will be up until the Fourth of July.
