Volume 1, Issue 1, January 2020

Exhibits - 40 years of Chaska's Own Museum

Bringing Chaska’s history to life by creating a major exhibit at the Chaska Historical Center is also a monstrous effort, but mostly it is a labor of love. Exhibits started in 1981 with a display of archived photographs at River City Days, the Historical Society leader and volunteers have created multi-faceted collections of articles, photos, artwork, and stories that focus attention on significant moments and routine happenings in our community. Once a focus has been chosen, the search for articles and content begins. The continually-expanding index of artifacts held by History Center is the first reference. Then materials from personal collections, museums and other sources are investigated and gathered. Individual and organizational contributions provide the marvelous details placed in the display cabinets, worn by mannequins, or turned into posters. Naturally, photographs from the Society’s archives are used to create visual windows into Chaska’s past. Newspaper articles and oral histories provided by local Chaskans add another dimension to the exposition. Read more...

Arthur Buschkowsky grave marker and 1910 census data.

Speaking From Their Graves

Chaska’s graveyards are more than just a final place of rest for those in our community who have died. For Chaska Historical Society volunteer Connie Jacobs, and those who walk with her on her Graveyard Tours, our cemeteries become very personal tributes to people who once lived in Chaska. Going into 2020, Connie wants to point out that each of the gravestones in Mount Pleasant Cemetery represents a person with a unique and interesting narrative. When tour participants hear some of those details, perhaps they will appreciate the diversity of individual lives and realize that we don’t have to be famous to have a story that deserves to be told. Read more...

Genealogy Resources - Your Pathways Through History

The goal of most people performing genealogical research is to put pieces together to form a story about relatives and ancestors. If the focus of a genealogical search lived in Chaska, terrific resources can be in your hands within moments of starting your search at the Chaska History Center. If you have never researched a family history, History Center volunteers can help open the door to times in the past linked to us by the history of Chaska. Read more...

Wagon Tours of Historic Downtown Chaska

Julie Wiese, a Chaska History Center volunteer, has been conducting tours pointing out the old buildings around the blocks near City Square for several years. With the help of teamster Matt Fahey from Belle Plaine, Julie and other volunteers describe the history of many of the homes and businesses in existence over 100 years ago. Providing details of life and conditions from the past, the narration energizes the imagination of those riding in the horse-drawn wagon. Read more...

Volunteer Spotlight - Sarah Carlson

The Historical Society is grateful for the many volunteers committed to preserving Chaska's history. Sarah Carlson is one of the more recent volunteers to give her time and enthusiasm to creating exhibits and organizing resources. Learn more about Sarah.

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