Cokato Museum & Gust Akerlund Studio

Welcome to the Cokato Museum & Gust Akerlund Studio, a local history museum located in Cokato, Minnesota, United States. This museum is focused on the city of Cokato and the surrounding townships of southwest Wright County. The museum comprises two adjacent buildings, the modern museum hall and the August Akerlund Photographic Studio. The Cokato Museum opened its doors in 1976 and is operated through a partnership between the City of Cokato and the Cokato Historical Society, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The museum's permanent displays explore the region's cultural, economic, and social history. You will find a second gallery featuring temporary exhibits built around local history themes. Within the museum are several full-size replicas, including a furnished log cabin, a partial reconstruction of the Titrud Round Barn, and an early-20th-century streetscape. These replicas give visitors a glimpse into what life was like in the area during different time periods. If you are interested in conducting research, the museum also has a research area that includes local newspapers, state and federal census records, church records, cemetery listings, and family histories. This is a great resource for anyone looking to learn more about their family history or the history of the area. One of the highlights of the museum is the Gust Akerlund Studio, which was the commercial photography studio of Swedish immigrant August "Gust" Akerlund. Akerlund operated the studio for most of the first half of the 20th century. The studio is the only known early-20th-century photographic studio still standing in the Upper Midwest. Akerlund purchased the building from another Cokato photographer in 1902. In 1905 he had the studio moved to its current location and added a skylight. Overall, the Cokato Museum & Gust Akerlund Studio is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the history of Cokato and the surrounding area. With its permanent displays, temporary exhibits, research area, and unique photographic studio, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Location: Cokato

Website: cokatomuseum.org

Source: Wikimedia