Exhibits

Beltrami County History Center

Home of the Beltrami County Historical Society, is located in the Historic southern corridor of downtown Bemidji, in the restored 1912 Great Northern Depot, the regions most unique museum, presents the history of Beltrami Country.

With its arched framework windows and original terrazzo floors, the depot is a stunning example of neoclassical architecture, and its preservation is of significant importance.

Built in 1912, the last depot built by "empire builder," James J. Hill.

Depicts 1870-1920 era of agriculture, RR and northern MN lumbering.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Sites since 1988.

Professionally constructed by local artist and designer, Jean Parkin, Paddle, Ride or Fly – It's History In Motion , is a moving exhibition capturing the sights, sounds and romance of early transportation from thunderous steam and steel of the northern railway system, to wings of a century with fledgling aviation. The Museum also features an entertaining and educational video outlining the brief history of our community, and the John G. Morrison, Jr., American Indian Collection, which currently features an outstanding selection of Ojibwe beaded bags and bandoliers. The restored Telegrapher Office is complete with railroad history, Paul Bunyan and Babe "The Blue Ox" and an active scale model railway system. With the installation of a Public Archives exhibit, visitors are now able to experience more of our rich heritage, as a larger portion of the restored Great Northern Depot is open to the public, along with a behind-the-scene look at more of the Museum Collection. Multitudes of Manuals – Devoid of Deletions , the current theme of the Public Archives, depicts early office practices in Beltrami County.

The Museum Gift Shop

Features a large book selection, replicated vintage items for men and woman, classical wooden toys and cast iron reproductions for children and a unique train display.

Research Library

If you are looking for family history in Beltrami County, we might be able to help you out at the history center's research library. Since 1952, the Beltrami County Historical Society has been dedicated to collecting and preserve the heritage of Beltrami County.

  • More than 100,000 photos.
  • 2,000 historical maps.
  • Letters, diaries and township history.
  • Micro-filmed reels of census reports, naturalization papers and newspapers.
  • Bemidji City Directories 1904-present.
  • County-wide school and church histories.
  • State history..

Membership

Be a part of this exciting...

  • FREE museum admission.
  • FREE assisted research.
  • 10% gift shop discount.
  • Quarterly newsletter The Depot Express.

If you are not a BCHS member, admission to the Museum is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors (62 or better), $3 for students $1 for children 12/under, $3 each for groups of five/more and $10 per school groups.

Walking and Driving Tours Available!

Printed walking and driving tours, available at the Beltrami County History Center, and nearby Bemidji Chamber of Commerce, guide visitors through the historic sites of downtown Bemidji and Beltrami County. The Beltrami County History Center is located in Bemidji, Minnesota 250 miles north of Minneapolis- follow U.S. 371 N. and Hwy 2 West to Bemidji.

The History Center is open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.