When I headed down to Luverne for the Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener (#MNGPHO2018), I had no idea what to expect. As soon as I got into town, I heard a stranger say to his companion, “Did you see all the nutcrackers at the History Center? We should go there.” I immediately turned my eavesdropping into a trip to the Rock County History Center off Main Street.

In the former Herman Motor building, built in 1915 by R.B. Hinkly, the History Center has a bit of everything – don’t worry I’ll get the nutcrackers.

Old newspaper articles, county archives, thousands of photographs, records, memorabilia, and large-scale displays that pay homage to Rock County’s ten communities.

From a recreation of a homestead, a schoolhouse, covered wagons, a general store, a barber and beauty shop, and remnants of some of the first churches in the area.

The former showroom of the Herman Motor building is used to display artifacts from the Luverne Automobile Company and Luverne Fire Apparatus.
A big thanks to Dave Smith, the museum manager, who was kind enough to give me a tour and answer all my questions.

As for the nutcrackers?

There is a permanent display of more than 2,500 nutcrackers.

No joke. Rows and row of all kinds line the shelves in the area across from the museums Christmas Haus, which specializes in gifts for sale. It is crazy.

There are so many that I couldn’t even get them all into one picture! You can find just about every kind of nutcracker you can think of.

Policeman, check! Completely made of glass, check! Lifesize that actually works to crack nuts, check!
If you are in the area, I highly recommend stopping by! The Center is open Tuesday through Saturday 10am-4pm, just ask for Dave!