The Murray County Historical Society invites you to set aside time in your schedule to learn some of the unique stories found in the county’s cemeteries. From Friday October 1 through Monday October 11 a self-guided tour of gravestones in two of the county’s cemeteries will be available. This year’s tour will focus on the Northwest corner of the country featuring the Zion Lutheran and Skandia Free Cemeteries (a third cemetery may be added- stay tuned on this page or our Facebook page for announcements). During the tour dates, interpretive graveside signs will be placed near selected stones which will tell the life and times of the person buried there.
Each story at the selected gravesites offers interesting insights into the history of the county. Learn about Swedish and Norwegian settlers with amazing perseverance, founders of early Murray County Churches, and the first murder case heard in Cottonwood County (with a Murray County connection). Some stones are ornate and others modest but the lives they lived were valuable and added to the story of our communities. As you wander the grounds of these unique and historic places watch for bright interpretive signs and pennant flags marking the gravesites.
What you will need:
A Map/Guidebook – You can pick up a hard copy at the Murray County Museum or download a digital copy HERE.
Transportation – To get to each of the three cemeteries.
A Sense of Adventure! – Have fun exploring the cemeteries and learning more about Murray County through stories of past residents!
We would love to hear what you think about this type of program! Contact us with comments or questions at 507-836-6533 or museum@co.murray.mn.us.