Legacy of the Lakes Museum | Alexandria MN

Legacy of the Lakes Museum & Gardens – Alexandria, Minnesota
In Full Detail

Introduction

The Legacy of the Lakes Museum, formerly known as the Minnesota Lakes Maritime Museum, is a prominent cultural institution located in the heart of downtown Alexandria, Minnesota. The museum is devoted to preserving, celebrating, and interpreting the rich traditions of life on Minnesota’s more than 10,000 lakes - particularly through historic boats, fishing heritage, resort culture, and lake recreation. It also includes beautifully landscaped gardens and a multipurpose event space known as The BoatHouse.

The museum draws visitors who are passionate about vintage watercraft, lake life, and regional heritage - offering a deeply nostalgic and visually captivating experience that appeals to families, hobbyists, and historians alike.

Founding & Mission

Founded in 1995, the museum opened its doors to the public in 2004 and rebranded in 2016 to reflect its broadened focus - from simply showcasing maritime history to encompassing all aspects of life on the lakes. Its mission is to:

Preserve and share the stories of classic boats, resort history, and recreational life.

Educate the public about Minnesota’s unique lake culture and environmental legacy.

Serve as a community gathering place for both residents and tourists.

It is situated adjacent to Big Ole Central Park, near both the Runestone Museum and Lake Agnes, creating a walkable cultural hub in downtown Alexandria.

Museum Galleries and Permanent Exhibits

The interior of the museum is sleek, modern, and climate-controlled - ideal for the preservation of fragile wooden boats and historic artifacts. The exhibits rotate seasonally, but the following permanent themes are core to the museum experience:

1. Classic & Wooden Boats Gallery

This is the heart of the museum - a dazzling collection of meticulously restored and preserved vintage boats, including:

Chris-Craft runabouts from the 1920s–1950s

Gar Wood speedboats, known for their beauty and racing pedigree

Hacker-Craft, Century, and rare regional brands

Minnesota-made boats, including locally built launches and skiffs

Indigenous birchbark and dugout canoes representing pre-colonial craftsmanship

Many of these boats are one-of-a-kind or among the few remaining in the world. The display includes interpretive panels, engaging audiovisual media, and stories about the boat builders, owners, and the innovations that shaped boating in the 20th century.

2. Made in Minnesota

This exhibit explores the craftsmanship of Minnesota boat builders from the late 1800s through the post-war boom. Highlights include:

Interactive profiles of regional manufacturers

Tools, molds, and materials used in early boat production

Videos and oral histories of Minnesota families involved in boatmaking

3. Fishing Heritage

This room brings to life Minnesota’s enduring love of fishing, with a special focus on lake cabins, fishing resorts, and the evolution of fishing gear:

Hand-carved decoys, vintage rods, and early ice-fishing setups

Rare photos and documents from historic Minnesota resorts

Displays recreating old tackle shops and lakeside lodges

4. Resorts & Recreation

Focused on the golden age of Minnesota resorts (1900s–1970s), this exhibit includes:

Advertising posters, brochures, and signage

Period swimsuits, water skis, and boating accessories

The recreation of a typical resort porch with rocking chairs and board games

Rotating & Special Exhibits

The museum introduces new exhibits each year to expand its appeal and encourage repeat visits. Past and recent special features include:

Lake Places: A crowd-sourced photo and memory project celebrating multigenerational cabin culture.

The Power of Fun: A retrospective on personal watercraft - from early Jet Skis and WetBikes to modern models.

Dodge Dream: Featuring rare speedboats from the Horace E. Dodge Boat Works.

Shipwrecked: An exhibit on Lake Superior shipwrecks, with original artifacts, sonar maps, and rescue gear.

Legacy Launches: A curated display of turn-of-the-century gas-powered launches.

The Carl Mammel Collection: A 2024 addition showcasing 12 rare wooden boats from a major private collector.

Legacy Gardens

Beyond the museum walls lies the Legacy Gardens, a lush and serene space open to the public free of charge. Designed to complement the lake theme, the gardens include:

Paved walkways with ornamental plantings

Sculptures and fountains

A small performance stage for concerts and community events

Benches, alcoves, and picnic-friendly lawn areas

The gardens host various events and are available for private rentals, making them a popular location for weddings, concerts, and photography sessions.

The BoatHouse (Event Center)

Added in 2018, The BoatHouse is a flexible indoor venue used for:

Educational workshops

Lectures and boating seminars

Seasonal community events

Private rentals such as reunions, receptions, and corporate meetings

Its design reflects lake aesthetics, with nautical finishes, wide windows, and AV capabilities. The space expands the museum’s reach beyond exhibit-based visitation.

Educational Programs & Events

The museum actively engages the public through:

“Kids in the Garden” programs: nature and art-based activities for children

Water-themed day camps and science learning activities

Summer Music in the Gardens concert series

Antique & Classic Boat Shows held seasonally

Community festivals with live demonstrations of blacksmithing, paddle making, and boat restoration

Educational partnerships with local schools and regional historical societies

Visitor Information

Open Season: Mid-May through October 31 (closed in winter for preservation reasons)

Hours:

Monday–Wednesday, Friday: 10 AM – 5 PM

Thursday: open until 7 PM

Saturday: until 4 PM

Sunday: 12 PM – 4 PM

Admission:

Adults: $10

Seniors (65+): $8

Students/Veterans: $5

Families: $25

Free for kids under 5

Museum members enter free

Community and Cultural Value

The Legacy of the Lakes Museum plays a vital role in:

Preserving a way of life that has shaped Minnesota’s tourism and identity

Encouraging stewardship of lake environments and natural heritage

Building community pride through storytelling and shared experience

Offering a multisensory, multigenerational experience grounded in place and memory

Through continual exhibit development and thoughtful programming, the museum has evolved into one of Minnesota’s finest small cultural institutions - at once elegant, informative, and evocative.

Summary

The Legacy of the Lakes Museum & Gardens is not just a showcase of boats - it’s a tribute to the soul of lake country. It honors the families who built cabins, fished from wooden skiffs, water-skied behind mahogany runabouts, and created memories on the shorelines of Minnesota’s treasured lakes. Whether you’re drawn to craftsmanship, nostalgia, or local history, this museum offers an unforgettable and beautifully curated journey.