| Anoka County History Center | |
| Logo Upright: | 0.8 |
| Coordinates: | 45.1997°N -93.3877°W |
| Location: | 2135 Third Ave N, Anoka, Minnesota 55303, United States |
| Type: | Local history |
| Executive Director: | Rebecca Ebnet-Desens |
| Website: | anokacountyhistory.org |
The Anoka County History Center is a museum affiliated with the Anoka County Library system and operated by the Anoka County Historical Society that showcases the history of Anoka County, Minnesota. Located in downtown Anoka, surrounded by historic buildings and riverways, the History Center features a 3,000-square-foot exhibit gallery that tells the stories of the 21 communities that make up Anoka County. Previously located in Colonial Hall they moved to their current location, the old city library building in the city of Anoka 20 years ago.[1] [2]
Established in 1934, the society has been preserving the history of Anoka County.[3] The current executive director is Rebecca Ebnet-Mavencamp who started in 2015.[4]
The oral history collection includes more than 250 interviews on a variety of topics from WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, including memories of Anoka County residents. There is also a collection of unpublished books and articles featuring Anoka County Civil War soldiers, the history of Fridley, annotated history of Circle Pines and Lexington, early records of St. Genevieve's Church, cemetery indexes and maps and the history of the Rum River. Samples from the collection range from a kayak that set a world record to furniture and clothing from as far back as the 1860s; a Works Progress Administration sidewalk section; probate records; the entire print collection of the Circulating Pines newspapers; Ho Chi Minh sandals from a Vietnam veteran; a watch fob made from a piece of a little girl's skull; and a silver service given as a wedding gift in 1887.[5]
In 2008, the Anoka County Historical Society had to undergo a "de-accession" process, or letting go of objects. "We took the opportunity to educate our members about what we want and don't," former Todd Mahon said.[6]
The Society also conduct educational programming, tours, and special events throughout the year. Through its "Museum in a Box" program, the Society helps Anoka County teachers teach the local history of the county to students. Boxes contain several hands-on artifacts from their collections relating to a particular topic, providing children direct experience with the past. Information cards about each artifact help students understand why the objects are important.