By Kristen Miller
Staff Writer

Step back in time and explore Cokato’s rich history by taking a tour at the Cokato Museum and Gust Akerlund Photography Studio located in downtown Cokato.

The Cokato Museum walks a person through the town’s past by featuring its significant historical value and displaying core landmarks such as the post office, bank, pharmacy and dentist.

With Cokato’s first settlers arriving as early as 1858, the museum captures the lifestyles during that period by featuring clothing, furniture, and farming equipment representative of that time.

Besides the permanent displays, the Cokato Museum features special exhibits throughout the year to capture other parts of history and recognize the numerous donated memorabilia.

“It is our goal to keep the museum fresh and exiting for visitors,” said Museum Director Mike Worcester.

Past exhibits included, “At Play in Santa’s Workshop,” which featured toys, dolls, and games from the past; “Community Reflections: The photography of Eileen Allen, featuring black and white photography from a former Enterprise-Dispatch photographer; and “Puttin’ on the Glitz,” a display of accessories, purses and jewelry from the past.

Another historical feature, aside from the museum itself, is the Gust Akerlund Studio, located on the corner of Fourth Street and Broadway Avenue.

The studio was built in 1905 and has been restored. It is listed on the National Register of Historical Places. The site includes original furnishings, cameras, and other equipment, along with a 12-foot skylight.

The museum has recently digitized thousands of the studio’s rare glass plate negatives, dating back to the first part of the 20th century. The digitization eliminates handling and makes reprints more readily available.

The museum hours are Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sundays noon to 4 p.m., closed Mondays and major holidays. Tours are available by appointment. Check out the Cokato Museum’s web site www.cokato.mn.us/cmhs for more details or call (320) 286-2427.