Virginia Area Historical Society

Virginia Area Historical Society VAHS is a 501(c)(3) Minnesota non-profit and is an affiliate of the St. Louis Co. Historical Society.

We believe it's important to keep alive the history of the Virginia area. At the Heritage Museum we're collecting and preserving objects, photos and other materials that tell the stories of this community and the people who lived and worked here. We create exhibits and plan programs to bring those stories to the public. Our large collection of photos, newspapers, books and documents is available f

or researchers. The Heritage Museum includes the former home of the Olcott Park superintendent plus a 1913 Finnish log house and a 1930s Virginia tourist park cabin. The main building features a large permanent exhibit about white pine lumbering and the Virginia & Rainy Lake Company.

In August of 1947, the Virginia American Finnish Civic Club's float won first prize. Do you think the judges chose it b...
06/04/2026

In August of 1947, the Virginia American Finnish Civic Club's float won first prize. Do you think the judges chose it because taking a sauna in August sounded like a good thing?

Would you like to take a sauna in June? Visit the Nelimark Homestead in Embarrass this Saturday.

Did you know that the city of Virginia had a Bicycle Derby in 1940? It's true! These random men riding, and two more c...
06/03/2026

Did you know that the city of Virginia had a Bicycle Derby in 1940? It's true! These random men riding, and two more crashed, on a track probably weren't at that particular event. Carl Borgeson, posing on his bike in front of the Virginia Public Library in 1921, was a library page. What are some of your early memories of your local public library?

05/18/2026

The Heritage Museum will be closed on Saturday, May 23rd.

Can you believe that they used to have car and poultry shows in the Recreation Building?? It's true! What are some of ...
05/14/2026

Can you believe that they used to have car and poultry shows in the Recreation Building?? It's true! What are some of your memories of the old recreation building/shirt factory?

This is what 1966 square dancers in Virginia looked like! Is square dancing--or some other form of called dancing--part...
05/07/2026

This is what 1966 square dancers in Virginia looked like! Is square dancing--or some other form of called dancing--part of your life?

Edited to add: The same photo with numbers! Please tell us who they are by matching names with numbers!

Are any of you old enough to remember paying $0.15 to watch Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs at the State Theater in Virginia...
04/30/2026

Are any of you old enough to remember paying $0.15 to watch Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs at the State Theater in Virginia, MN? Share an early movie theater experience with us!

Edited to add: Based on the release dates of the movies, the photo and clipping appear to be from 1938. Margaret Culkin Banning, who spent her early years in Duluth, was one of the writers of "Woman Against Woman."

Did you know that the first superintendent of parks for the city of Virginia was Arthur Beischjold? The current Heritag...
04/24/2026

Did you know that the first superintendent of parks for the city of Virginia was Arthur Beischjold? The current Heritage Museum was built in the middle of Olcott Park for him in 1911. Do you know when the house was moved to its current location?

The image shown is of the green house built by Arthur Beischjold after he left his position with the city. Do you know where it was located?

Local artist Duane Bryers (1911 - 2012) wants to know if you have registered for our Annual Dinner meeting yet. Learn a...
04/17/2026

Local artist Duane Bryers (1911 - 2012) wants to know if you have registered for our Annual Dinner meeting yet.

Learn about the daily lives of enlisted servicemembers, including locals Munroe Milavetz and Duane Bryers, over the decades. Learn more on our website and contact us by this Friday to register for our Annual Dinner meeting!

https://www.virginiamnhistory.com/events.html

Veterans Day won't be here for a few more months, but you can join us on Friday, April 24, to learn about the daily live...
04/17/2026

Veterans Day won't be here for a few more months, but you can join us on Friday, April 24, to learn about the daily lives of enlisted servicemembers, including local Munroe Milavetz, over the decades. Learn more on our website and contact us by this Friday to register for our Annual Dinner meeting!

https://www.virginiamnhistory.com/events.html

Address

800 N 9th Avenue
Virginia, MN
55792

Opening Hours

Friday 11am - 3pm
Saturday 11am - 3pm

Telephone

(218) 741-1136

Website

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