Kandiyohi County Historical Society

06/05/2026

Take a listen to what we have going on for the America 250 here is Kandiyohi County!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CxxQj4gzZ/

06/03/2026

🎥Cemetery Walk Videos🎥

We have the videos up on of the last three cemetery walks. We thank you for your patience and hope you enjoy what you see!
The cemeteries are Tripolis Lutheran Church, Holland Township Cemetery, and Svea Lutheran Church.

Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

06/02/2026

Good Luck to the BOLD Softball as they play in the state quarter finals today! First time in school history the softball team has made it to the state tournament. Way to go ladies!

Lake Lillian (the L in BOLD Public Schools) is known in our county history for their softball teams and their successes.

Here is a photograph of the 1966 Lake Lillian Softball Team, Minnesota State Fastpitch Softball Champions.

Back row, left to right: David Lundquist, Don Klimstra, Myron Flann, Roland Boll, Bruce Magnuson, Marlin Flann, Steve Flann, Jerry Van Den Einde, Chuck Flann. Front row: Gary Bjur, Bruce Anderson, Dick Bjur, Jerry Norine, Dick Erickson, Howard Flann.

Lake Lillian

05/28/2026

📣There is still time to sign up for our blood drive this Friday, May 29 between 9am-3pm.

To sign up:
☎️ Call 1-800-733-2767
💻 visit to sign up: https://tinyurl.com/May29blooddrive

Photograph of the Red Cross Parade in Willmar on May 17, 1918, which was held to inaugurate the Second Red Cross War Fund Drive.

05/26/2026

Then & Now
Sperryville

The Sperry House was built on Foot Lake near Willmar in 1893, and by 1898 Albert Sperry had platted the surrounding land, naming streets like Havana, Hawaii, Manila, and Porto Rico after Spanish-American War locations as he developed the neighborhood known as “Sperryville” (also called Homewood Park). With new homes, a well-known pedestrian bridge, and easy access to town, the area quickly grew into a desirable residential community—much of which still surrounds the Sperry House today.

First photograph is taken by John Sames on September 6, 1946.
Second photograph is taken by Gregory Harp May 24, 2026, 80 years later.

05/24/2026

We will be closed on Monday, May 25 for Memorial Day. We will resume our regular hours on Tuesday, May 26. Please join us at the Cemetery Walk at Svea Lutheran Church on Monday, May 25!

05/23/2026

We are open today!!! 10am-4pm & Free Admission

05/22/2026

We lost another dedicated volunteer. Gloria was a wonderful greeter and loved to learn about history. She helped us in many different ways. We will miss her wonderful smile. RIP Gloria.

https://www.hafh.org/obituary/Gloria-Tollefson?fbclid=IwdGRjcAR9lq9jbGNrBH2WpWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHowU2wK6zz6d3cz6uD8DjI52coNZELDsyAMGONMT5mx5-KoWGuE-lMSbNkqd_aem_j0JSOSwvy0kmdYVOYLf2zg

Celebrate the life of Gloria Tollefson and join others in sharing memories, stories, and condolences.

05/20/2026

🌟Summer Hours Being this weekend
🇺🇸 Free Admission

The Historical Society begins the summer hours this Saturday, May 23. We are now open:
Monday-Friday 9am-4pm
Saturday 10am-2pm

📣📣The Sperry House is temporarily closed due to restoration after a water leak this winter. We will let you know when it opens again.

➡️Guri Endreson Cabin will be open on Saturday Sunday 9am-4pm.

05/19/2026

🇺🇸Don't forget to stop by our cemetery walk this Memorial Day!🇺🇸
We will be at Svea Lutheran Church telling the stories of residents of Kandiyohi County. The Honor Guard will be at the cemetery around 9:00am and we will begin our tours shortly after that. A tour will start every half an hour to help it fit into your schedule. The church will also be open to tour and ask questions. Refreshments will be served by the Church.