Furnace Failure at Becker County Museum Highlights Groups Need to Secure Final Funding for New Facility

Becker County Museum staff bundle up in the museum after a furnace failure

DETROIT LAKES (KDLM) – A furnace failure at the Becker County Museum is highlighting the group’s need to secure the remaining $500,000 to build a new facility to help protect local history.

Friday, the third furnace in 3 months failed in the building. In a facebook post, the museum indicated the front office is in the 40’s and water damage has destroyed some delicate historical records.  “We have lost LOST another 54 tax record books to water and mold damage. This is not a state we can keep our collections in any longer”.

Becker County has offered a controlled, secure environment to house the museum’s most delicate and most fragile paper and textile items until the museum can preserve them.

The museum is months away from breaking ground on a $6.4 million, 30,000-square-foot facility with around $500,000 yet to be raised.

Delicate historical records from the Lakes Area damaged by water and mold in Becker County Museum

“We NEED your help. Make a pledge over 5 years if you are so moved or give us the $20 you find in the wash or the spring coat pocket you are about to find. We CAN do this! Do it for our kids and our future. We are in the 150th year of our county and many area communities and townships including the City of Detroit Lakes. The Historical Society has been gathering history for well over 100 years. Let’s not be the ones to watch all it all be lost for future generations.”

Donations can be sent to Becker County Museum 714 Summit Ave, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501 or made online at http://beckercountyhistory.org/