History Center Exhibits
Luverne Automobiles
In the early 1900s, brothers F.A. and Ed Leicher turned their harness shop into an automobile manufacturing business called the Luverne Automobile Company. They built cars until the early 1920s, when they shifted production to fire engines.
As far as we know, only two Luverne automobiles still exist today—and we are proud to display both in our Showroom. Visit the History Center to see the 1909 Luverne Thirty and the 1915 Luverne Big Brown.
Step back in time and imagine what it was like to ride in one of these early automobiles.
Early Life in Rock County
The Early Life in Rock County exhibit is located in the bay area of the History Center. Several exhibits have been set up that depict different aspects of life in Rock County.
The first settlers spent their first winter in a shanty on the banks of Ash Creek. A replica to demonstrate the size and shape of this dwelling is in the room. There also is a life-size buffalo on loan from Blue Mound State Park. You can see a covered wagon and some of the original tools used by the early settlers. Other displays show an early schoolroom, a general store, a kitchen, a living room, a department store, a barber, shop, etc. Churches were important in early Rock County and the church display has authentic altars, baptismal font, and pews donated from area churches.
Come and spend some time walking through Rock County history and imagine your ancestors living in these types of spaces.
Rock County Communities
Dolls Through the Centuries
The “Dolls through the Centuries” exhibit showcases hundreds of dolls with examples of various kinds of dolls over the last 200 years. The first dolls were handmade from straw, brooms, corn husks or other materials. Around the 1850s the first commercial dolls appeared with heads made of china. Over the years all varieties of dolls were produced. The doll collection has examples from the straw dolls to the American character dolls to the Barbie dolls all the way to the American Girl dolls, just to name a few types. Special collections of dolls include the Gone With the Wind dolls, Little Women dolls, Wizard of Oz dolls and Royal Wedding dolls.
Come browse and enjoy this delightful exhibit!
