Our History
A History Rooted in Community
The story of the Carlton County Historical Society is one of community members coming together to preserve the places, people, and experiences that make our county unique. From its beginnings as a small volunteer organization to its home in the historic Shaw Memorial Building, the Historical Society has continued to collect, preserve, and share Carlton County's history for generations
The Shaw Family and a Legacy of Learning
The story of the Historical Society's home begins with George Stearns Shaw and his family's commitment to public libraries in Cloquet.
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George Shaw was one of the area's early lumber company owners. Although he never received a formal education, he was self-educated and valued the importance of libraries. He served on the library committee for the town of Knife Falls, helping ensure residents had access to books. Cloquet's first public library opened in 1902.
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The original library was renovated in 1918, but just before its reopening, the devastating Cloquet Fire of October 12 destroyed the building along with much of the city.
​​​In the aftermath, George Shaw's daughters, Hattie Shaw Delascaille and Cordelia Shaw Lynds, offered to fund a new library in memory of their father, who had died in 1897. They were closely involved in the planning, even though Hattie lived in Iowa and Cordelia in California. Much of the design discussion happened through letters between the family, the library board, and the architect.
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The new Shaw Memorial Library was completed in June 1920 and dedicated on October 12, 1920, the second anniversary of the fire. Their generosity created a lasting community resource and a memorial to their father.
Today, the Shaw Memorial Building is home to the Carlton County Historical Society, continuing its legacy as a place for learning, discovery, and preserving the stories of our community.
Founding of the Historical Society
A Community Effort Begins
In 1949, a group of interested citizens formed the Carlton County Historical Society as a subcommittee of the Cloquet Rotary Club. What began as a volunteer effort grew from a shared interest in preserving the history of Carlton County.
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For several years, the organization operated out of makeshift spaces in Carlton, relying on volunteers and community support to collect and care for local historical materials.
Growing & Finding a Permanent Home
In 1980, the Historical Society found a home in the Garfield School in Cloquet and hired its first part-time employee.
In 1987, the organization moved to its permanent location in the Shaw Memorial Building at 406 Cloquet Avenue in Cloquet. The building connected the Historical Society's work with an important part of the community's own history.
The Carlton County Historical Society Foundation was established in 1988 to support the organization's efforts to collect, preserve, and share the history of Carlton County.
The Historical Society Today
The Historical Society serves Carlton County residents, former residents, and visitors through its museum, collections, research, exhibits, educational programs, and outreach.
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In addition to the Shaw Memorial Building in Cloquet, the Historical Society maintains several buildings at the Carlton County Fairgrounds in Barnum, where visitors can explore local agricultural history.
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Every generation adds new stories to Carlton County's history. The Historical Society invites you to explore the past, share your own stories, and help preserve our community's history for the generations that follow.