Blue Earth County Historical Society celebrates 123 years with look back at Rapidan Dam

MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) -November 7 is the day that the Blue Earth County Historical Society officially recognizes as the anniversary of the organization’s founding in 1901.

That made Thursday the museum’s 123rd birthday, and the organization has gone through some changes over the years.

They started out in the Hubbard House, which the historical society still operates, until they moved to their current location on Warren Street.

The group said that despite the growth and change over the last century and a quarter the heart remains the same.

“Our mission, our vision is very much still the same; collect, preserve, present the history of Blue Earth County,” said the historical society’s Heather Harren.

To celebrate the anniversary the historical society will open their doors for free all weekend, with Saturday featuring a breakdown of the Rapidan Dam.

The historical society has long had a book detailing the construction and use of the dam, and they have invited Rick Pepper, who in early October released a photo book detailing the summer’s historic dam break and the end of the Dam Store, which finally moved to downtown Mankato.

Members of the historical society said that the dam was a pivotal part of local history, and they plan on preserving that the same way today as they would a century ago.

“We like to say that history happened yesterday,” said Harren. “So we are collecting newspaper clippings for now but as people find things in their home that relate to Blue Earth County we encourage them to donate them to the historical society so they’re there for current generations but also future generations.”

Saturday’s Rapidan Dam presentation will begin at 1 p.m. at the museum.

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