Mission Statement The Afton Historical Society was organized in 1980 for the purpose of locating and collecting any material which would help to establish or illustrate the history of the Afton area or the state, the exploration, settlement, development, and activities in peace and war, the progress of population, ethnic groups, wealth, education, arts, science, agriculture, manufactures, trade, etc., and to disseminate historical information to interested persons, groups, and institutions. Finishing up our 25th year, our mission remains the same.    AFTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY OFFICERS & BOARD  President Stan Ross Vice President Ken Martens Secretary Judy Steltzner Treasurer Laurel Ross Office manager Carol Brotzler Board members   Mike Thoemke Julia Welter Terry Clymer Doug Stoltzmann Lee Johnson

About Afton, Minnesota The historic village of Afton is nestled between wooded river bluffs and a protected scenic river, the lovely St. Croix. Some call Afton "nostalgic, friendly, and quaintly charming." Visitors in the mid-1800's were reminded of Robert Burns' poem "Afton Water" and thence came its name. Following French fur traders to the St. Croix Valley, New Englanders platted the Village in 1855, and influenced its simple, straightforward architecture. Clear drinking water still flows from the springs shown on the early plats. Some of the virgin pines still stand in its deep ravines. Wild flowers, deer, flying geese, and songbirds thrive here, along with wild berry bushes left from Afton's early berry industry. Today, in the center of a quiet residential community, is a small business district of restaurants, an inn, marinas, and unique shops and services. Surrounding the village are farms, parks, and nature preserves. Most of the village businesses are located in 19th century houses or buildings, some of which are still being restored. Afton Historical Museum The Afton Museum is located in the former Congregational church (1868) building in the Historic Village of Afton. Over the years it housed the Congregational and American Methodist congregations and later was a meeting place for fraternal organizations, such as Modern Woodmen of America and the American Legion and Auxiliary. In about 1926, after the flood, the building was moved onto a new basement on an adjacent lot south. It became the seat of government and voting place for the Village of Afton and in 1976, candidate Walter Mondale voted when he was elected Vice President of the United States with President Jimmy Carter. The Museum, now a restored building, has many displays including a turn-of-the-century kitchen and schoolroom, library, military artifacts, post office, telephone switchboard, fashions, and children's toys and games as well as an extensive photograph gallery of early schools and classes, early settlers, and historic events. The lower floor of the Museum is dedicated to displays of early agriculture and farm artifacts. Volunteers operate the 3 vintage rug looms with which they weave rugs for sale at the Museum. Extensive files on area family information and photographs, census record information, and information about Afton's 7 cemeteries, including a Civil War cemetery are available for research purposes. The Museum is operated by volunteers and there is no admission fee.