Detroit Lakes, Minn. (KDLM) – After three decades in congress representing the communities of a large portion of western Minnesota, Collin Peterson will now have his legacy officially displayed in the new research library at the Becker County Museum.
In a private ceremony on June 16, attended by Peterson’s family, friends and former colleagues, the museum officially unveiled Peterson’s re-created office in the corner of their new research wing.
The Washington D.C. desk and other office memorabilia of Fmr. Rep. Collin Peterson is displayed during the unveiling ceremony of Peterson’s office recreation in the Becker County Museum Research Library on June 16, 2023. (Michael Achterling / KDLM News)
The exhibit features: Peterson’s Washington D.C. desk, memorabilia, photos and awards from his 30-year career, and even a trophy buck from the lifelong hunter.
Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar said, when she first decided to run for U.S Senate, Collin told her the importance of the coveted Ag committee and why being involved in the decisions that can positively affect Greater Minnesota farmers is necessary for any statewide candidate to be successful.
Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar speaks to attendees during the unveiling ceremony of Peterson’s office recreation in the Becker County Museum Research Library on June 16, 2023. (Michael Achterling / KDLM News)
“He has been such a mentor to me, especially on agriculture issues,” said Klobuchar. “He said, ‘you gotta get on the ag committee,’ I got on it. And then he said, ‘you gotta stay on it,’ which I’ve done and I’ve loved it. And, so much of it was that I had a secret weapon, really, in Collin, because I would understand what was going on between the Senate and the House. I could figure out which provisions were moving and which ones weren’t, and then also just his credibility with farmers was incredible.”
Fmr. Rep. Collin Peterson, left is hugged by Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar following the unveiling ceremony of Peterson’s office recreation in the Becker County Museum Research Library on June 16, 2023. (Michael Achterling / KDLM News)
Paul Marquart, commissioner for Minnesota Department of Revenue and former DFL state representative for parts of Collin’s district, said, when he first started running for office, he used a distinct term to describe his own political leanings.
“I will say that the first time I was campaigning in 2000, I would knock on people’s doors, and they’d say, ‘are you a democrat or a republican,’ and I would say, ‘I’m a Collin Peterson democrat,'” said Marquart. “People knew what that meant. And it meant that you may be a democrat, but represented everyone, democrats and republicans alike, and that’s what Collin did. And we need more people like that in our government.”
Former Minnesota DFL state Senator Kent Eken, said he, and many residents within western Minnesota, respected Peterson’s honesty and his ability to listen to people, which is the staple of any good leader. He also said he too referred to himself as a Collin Peterson democrat.
“I said the same thing,” said Eken. “Because it was that style of leadership that people really respected in this area. It’s why he survived as long as he did, despite the fact that the district was turning more red … but people knew he wasn’t just party-line, just do what the party said, he put his constituents first and that’s what elected officials should do.”
Fmr. Rep. Collin Peterson speaks to attendees during the unveiling ceremony of Peterson’s office recreation in the Becker County Museum Research Library on June 16, 2023. (Michael Achterling / KDLM News)
During his speech, Peterson recapped his journey as an elected official, which actually started with multiple election defeats before eventually securing a spot in the Minnesota congressional delegation in 1990. With every highlight, Peterson seemed to remember a story involving someone in the room, which turned the event into a smile-filled trip down memory lane with Collin, their lifelong friend.
In closing, he apologized to his alma mater, Moorhead State University, for choosing the museum as the host of his exhibit and also said his career would not have been possible without his dedicated staff and the support of everyone in the room.
“Moorhead State is never going to forgive me because I didn’t give them my stuff, but I am so glad that I put it here at the Becker County Museum and I think it’s going to be a great thing for the museum, for the community,” said Peterson, during his speech. “And I think it’s going to be a good legacy for the kids to go through that and try to figure out what the heck I was up to. So, thank you all so very much. Thank you Amy (Klobuchar) for being up here … and all of the rest of you that have worked with me over the years, it’s been a wonderful ride, and couldn’t have done it without you and I don’t think I could do it again.”
The new Collin Peterson exhibit at the Becker County Museum research library in Detroit Lakes can be viewed during the museum’s normal business hours, Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fmr. Rep. Collin Peterson, left, and Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, smile for a group photo following the unveiling ceremony of Peterson’s office recreation in the Becker County Museum Research Library on June 16, 2023. (Michael Achterling / KDLM News)
Becky Mitchell, left, executive director for the Becker County Historical Society and Museum, and Fmr. Rep. Collin Peterson, smile for a group photo following the unveiling ceremony for Peterson’s office recreation in the Becker County Museum Research Library on June 16, 2023. (Michael Achterling / KDLM News)
Becky Mitchell, executive director of the Becker County Historical Society and Museum, speaks to attendees during the unveiling ceremony of Peterson’s office recreation in the Becker County Museum Research Library on June 16, 2023. (Michael Achterling / KDLM News)
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