Minnesota Lakes Maritime Museum - Alexandria, Minnesota

Here is a brief outline of what you can expect to see when you visit us. If you have any questions about the museum, please feel free to contact us. Groups are welcome and tour guides are available.

See the Museum Brochure


Bremer Community Conference Room State-of-the art meeting room that comfortably seats up to 20 people. The room is equipped for audio-visual presentations. If your non-profit organization would like information about using the conference room, please call the Minnesota Lakes Maritime office at (320) 759-1114.	Community Room

Pete and Mado Pederson Gallery The Pete and Mado Peterson Gallery includes the history of these Alexandria area grand hotels: The Letson House, Blakes Hotel, Geneva Hotel, Dickinson Inn and the others. In addition, an overview is presented of the resort hotel industry on Lake Minnetonka. Local resort history is featured including Bedman’s Beach Resort, one of the state’s oldest resorts dating back to the late 1800’s.	Grand Hotels & Resorts

Mahan-Zimmerman Gallery The MLMM features three historic launches. *The Dungeness, is a 1884 24’ electric ELCO yacht tender, with a unique past. It was previously owned by the Andrew Carnegie family and attached to the ship of the same name. Dungeness* spent her life carrying Carnegie’s guests to and from his luxurious 119’ yacht. The Naphtha Launch 'Frieda'is a sleek 22' long craft believed to be one of only four in existence. It is powered by an amazing naphtha steam engine. *'Stella'*, is a restored, and fully operable, 1907 Fay & Bowen, 25 ft. Standard launch powered by a 10-horsepower, 2 cylinder Kermath engine. A collection of toy boats, on loan from The MIkkelson Collection in Willmar, and other boating memorabilia is also exhibited in the gallery.

Mammel Foundation Exhibit Hall In this hall visitors will find a wide variety of beautiful and rare classic wood boats on display. The featured boat is the Naphtha Launch ‘Frieda’. This sleek 22’ long craft is believed to be one of only four in existence. It is powered by an amazing naphtha steam engine. Our boat exhibit in the Mammel Foundation Exhibit Hall is constantly changing. Some of the notable manufacturers that are often represented include: Chris-Craft, Gar Wood, Higgins and Elco. These classic inboards, restored canoes, outboard motors and related hunting and resort memorabilia evoke memories of days gone by.

M.M. “Bud” Peterson Gallery This gallery features the ‘History of Larson Boat Works’ from Paul Larson’s humble beginnings building boats for friends in the Little Falls, Minnesota area, to the company becoming a major player in the fiberglass runabout market. The exhibit features interpretive displays, and several beautifully restored Larson boats from The Mikkelson Collection in Willmar, Minnesota. The highlight is a fascinating video interview with Earl Geiger, who was Paul Larson’s partner during the company’s transition into fiberglass, and arrival on the national scene.

The Summer Porch - Minnesouri Club Exhibit At one time Minnesota was home to hundreds of fishing clubs. These clubs were as much for fishing as they were social clubs. Over the years most of these clubs have disappeared. The Minnesouri Club exhibit highlights the club’s history on Lake Miltona. It is still in existence today!

The Fishing Gallery Minnesota’s love for the sport of fishing spans generations. The quaint fishing gallery features antique tackle, handsome fish mounts, guide stories and other fishing memorabilia.

New North Hall - History of Chris-Craft This permanent exhibit is located in the new 5,000 sq. ft. hall adjoining the main museum. The extensive display is a collaborative effort between exhibit sponsor, Alexandria Clinic, P.A., the Minnesota Lakes Maritime Museum, and the Chris-Craft Antique Boat Club, who provided much of the historic research, documentation, and archive images. It features an impressive chronological display of Chris-Craft company history.

New North Hall - Gar Wood Exhibit The career of famous boat builder, and racer, Garfield "Gar" Wood began as a boy on Lake Osakis. Wood’s success in the business world later fueled his passion for speedboat racing. His skill at racing went beyond all competition, resulting in total domination of the sport for nearly 20 years. He not only drove the boats to victory, but he designed, and built them in his own shops.