Big news from the Murray County Historical Society — and we mean that quite literally. This spring, we received generous support from Nobles Cooperative Electric’s Operation Round Up, and we’re putting it to excellent use… digitizing newspapers!
In May, we were awarded $1,100 to begin digitizing and making searchable some of the earliest newspapers in Murray County history. We’re halfway through digitizing The Southwest Minnesotan (1881–1885) and The Murray County Independent (1893–1902), which were once published in Currie and Avoca. These historic papers have never been digitized before, and we’re thrilled to finally bring them into the 21st century.
Our goal? To make early Murray County history more accessible to students, researchers, and curious locals alike—no microfilm machine required.
But that’s not all…
In June, we were also notified that we’ve received $7,618 to upgrade our Collections Management Software. We’re transitioning to Collective Access, a cloud-based system that will allow anyone to search our museum collections from anywhere with internet access. Whether you’re researching family roots or exploring local lore, this upgrade will make it easier than ever to connect with Murray County’s rich history.
Museum Director Nick Demuth attended the Operation Round Up award ceremony, where $21,000 was awarded to local community organizations. We’re honored to be part of a region that values preserving and sharing its past.
Stay tuned for more updates—and maybe even a future post titled The Searchable Shetek Sentinel?
Thanks to all who continue to support our work. You’re helping us preserve the past and make it easier to discover, one page at a time.