About Us

On the doorstep of Proctor’s centennial in 1994, a group of Proctorites dreamed of a historical museum celebrating Proctor’s rich railroad history. That year, Claire Schumacher organized the History and Heritage Committee to gather artifacts and volunteers to start a museum.

On June 4, 1994, a pop-up historical museum opened for the summer at the Ore House (near where Troy’s Service Center is today). But this wasn’t the end. The group dreamed of a permanent home for Proctor’s history.

Going forward, the group launched the Proctor Area Historical Society as a non-profit organization in 1997 and searched for a permanent home while hosting historical exhibits at the old Proctor Club House (1997-2000) and Proctor City Hall (2001-2015). In 2011, when the historic 1927 DM&N car shop superintendent’s office was set for retirement, the Historical Society saved, relocated, and refurbished the historic building to be used as the Proctor community’s historical museum.

Our current goal is to settle remaining costs from development of our permanent museum. As an organization driven 100% by volunteers and funded 100% with donations, we need your help to keep Proctor’s history on track to be shared and cherished for years to come.

The Proctor Area Historical Society makes it easy for you to support our work to preserve and share Proctor’s area history. Cash donations or checks can be made out to “Proctor Area Historical Society” and sent by snail mail to 100 Pionk Drive, Proctor, MN 55810. Donations made by credit card or debit card can be made through PayPal by clicking here or through GiveMN by clicking here. Donations can be made at any time, and the Proctor Area Historical Society is happy to accept and acknowledge any donation as a memorial or honorarium. The Proctor Area Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your donation is deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

We extend our deep gratitude to all the people who make the Proctor Area Historical Society a great organization and who help us achieve our mission to preserve and share Proctor’s rich history. We would love to have you join us!

Want to connect? Find us on Facebook and Instagram!

All Aboard! 🚂

The Proctor Area Historical Society needs members! All members have the ability to vote at member meetings, serve on committees, and pursue history projects with organizational support. As a member, you will receive quarterly print newsletters and are invited to exhibits and events throughout the year. You can join at any time, but our membership list resets each January for non-life members. The work to preserve and share Proctor’s history continually relies on you. Thank you!

Individual Levels

$20 – Patron
$50 – Sustainer
$100 – Benefactor
$225 – 225 Club 🚂
$500 – Sponsor
$1,000 – Life Member

Corporate Levels

$100 – Benefactor
$225 – 225 Club 🚂
$500 – Yellowstone
$1,000 – Carnegie

Individuals, organizations, and businesses interested in membership can snail mail membership dues with their name and preferred mailing address to Proctor Area Historical Society, 100 Pionk Drive, Proctor, MN 55810.

You can also sign up by making a donation at your desired membership level on PayPal by clicking here. A Historical Society representative will then follow up with you via email.