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Staff writer

Inviting local folks to write their own chapter in the county’s history book, the Anoka County Historical Society unveiled its “Tell Me a Story” exhibit Dec. 1.

“Everyone knows the power of a story and this is a great way to tell your own unique story,” said ACHS Executive Director Todd Mahon as he introduced the exhibit.

The focal point of the exhibit is a story booth where visitors can tell their stories to a recorder.  

Either individually or in an interview style with a family member or a friend, this is the opportunity to bring in grandpa and ask about his war years, or ask mom how she felt to be a woman doing “men’s work,” or to ask the kids what life in high school is like today.  

Participants can add their own stories in order to give future generations a clear picture of life in Anoka County both yesterday and today.

Those telling their stories in the “Tell Me a Story” recording booth will receive a booklet outlining the 75 years of the ACHS’s efforts to chronicle local history.

The ACHS exhibit hall is furnished with artifacts collected over the past 75 years, each artifact a souvenir from the real stories of Anoka County’s pioneers.

Artifacts were chosen, Mahon said, because they tell a story about the person who owned or used it or about the time period when it was used.  

For example, visitors can view a kayak that took its owner on a record-setting journey.

The shoeshine chair on display is from Mel’s Barber Shop and recalls a time when men would linger and gossip while getting a haircut, a beard trim and a shoeshine.

The 100-year old courting quilt shows how different dating practices were a century ago.

Visitors to the Anoka History Center (2135 Third Ave. N., Anoka) can tour the exhibit gallery free of charge the first Tuesday of each month.

To learn more, call the History Center at 763-421-0060 or visit www.ac-hs.org.

Sue Austreng is at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it