First responders exhibit opens at Sherburne History Center

A new exhibit has opened at the Sherburne History Center in Becker.

Sherburne County’s fire, police and sheriff protection exhibit explores a short history of civic protection since the county organized in 1856, when Minnesota was a territory.

Over the years the Sherburne History Center has collected artifacts and some newspaper articles about the fire, police, and sheriff departments in Sherburne County.

As part of the research, history center personnel tried to name all the department marshals and chiefs over the years, including contacting the departments to verify, but some names are missing. It will take future researchers, viewing pages of decades of weekly newspapers on microfilm to try to fill in missing names.

The Sherburne History Center found interesting information reported in local newspaper articles found in the center reference library’s history subject files. Items such as uniform and supply costs, new vehicle costs, and in some cases, salaries are included in department histories. For example, a $15 a month meal allowance is authorized for officers working night shifts at the Elk River Police Department in 1964.

The Sherburne County’s fire, police and sheriff protection exhibition will be at the Sherburne History Center until Sept. 1, 2024.

Visit the Sherburne History Center Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Admission is free. The history center is located at 10775 27th Ave. SE in Becker.

For more information, contact the history center at 763-261-4433 or online at www.sherburnehistorycenter.org .