About The Museum
Exhibits and displays present the people, places, stories, and artifacts from the early days of the Land O' Lakes area . The main room contains our featured exhibit which changes every few years to showcase another significant segment of local history.
Location:
NorthernWaters Museum is located in the Land O' Lakes Town Park on the corner of County Rd. B and Chippewa Rd.
6490 Chippewa Dr.
Land O" Lakes, WI 545440
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Hours:
Late June through Labor Day weekend, and by appointment.
Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Special tours are welcome!
History of the Museum
The Museum building was originally the rustic ski chalet for the Gateway Ski Hill, part of the extensive King's Gateway resort complex built in the late 1930s. The Ski Hill was located a couple miles south on Hwy 45. For over 40 years, the Gateway Ski Chalet offered ski rentals, a warm fire by the large stone fireplace, and hot food and drinks. In summer, the chalet was used as housing for young male summer employees.
When the Gateway Ski Hill closed in the 1980s, Mr. Ed Richter, Richter Redi-Mix of Eagle River, Wis., purchased the ski hill property for his business and the immense load of gravel it contained. He ultimately donated the ski chalet to the Land O' Lakes Historical Society. Major fundraising afforded the 1997 move of the ski chalet to the Land O' Lakes Town Park. After several years of extensive renovations, the historic ski chalet officially opened on July 27, 2001 as NorthernWaters Museum!