ESKO HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Organized for the purpose of "collecting, preserving, and disseminating historical data and knowledge of the early settlers and pioneers" of the area, the Esko Historical Society's goal is to preserve the past through stories and artifacts of Thomson Township.
The society meets the third Thursday of each month from 4-5 p.m. in the Community Room in Thomson Town Hall with a social following the meeting. Those interested in attending and learning more are welcome to join.
The Esko Historical Society Museum is located in the heart of the Alex Esko farm. The museum features nine buildings to tour, including a 1878 Grist Mill originally located on the Midway River at the Palkie Rapids, a 1885 Riihi (granary) from the John Sorila farm, Esko's first one-room schoolhouse built in 1897, the Kangas Family Log Home built in 1898, a Savu Sauna, a Liiteri storage shed containing a horse-drawn school bus, sleigh, buggies and early farm tools and machinery, and a pavilion that contains a 1938 D-8 Cat Snowplow used up until 1968, a doodlebug tractor and the township’s first firetruck, a 1949 Chevrolet.
The museum is open from 2-5 p.m. on Sundays in summer, by appointment, and during special events. Please call 218-879-9450, 218-879-3742 or 218-879-7674 for more information, or visit.