Beltrami County Historical Society Launches Depot Exhibit Redesign

On November 21 the Beltrami County Historical Society revealed it has secured private grant funding to redesign the permanent galleries at the Historic Depot and is forming a 10 to 12 person Exhibit Advisory Committee to guide the project. Applications for committee members are being accepted through Nov. 30, 2025, and the society plans for the renovated, family friendly exhibit to open by late 2026.

The advisory committee will advise museum staff on interpretation themes, accessibility improvements, strategies for showcasing more of the collection, and ways to ensure the exhibit reflects contemporary community priorities. Organizers are explicitly seeking representation from Dakota and Ojibwe communities, cultural knowledge keepers, educators, accessibility advocates, local historians, business leaders and other community voices that reflect Beltrami County diversity. Inclusion of Indigenous perspectives and cultural knowledge keepers is intended to guide respectful, accurate presentation of regional history and cultural materials.

For local residents the redesign could have several practical impacts. A more accessible gallery will expand participation for seniors, students and residents with disabilities, while a family friendly orientation aims to increase school visits and youth programming. The emphasis on showcasing more of the collection responds to long standing calls from community members to make artifacts and archival materials more visible and better contextualized. The project may also support local businesses by drawing more cultural tourists to downtown Bemidji and the surrounding area during the exhibition period and after reopening.

The timeline positions the society to move from advisory input to design and installation over the coming year, with a target opening in late 2026. Because the initial funding is private the society will likely continue fundraising and partnership building as plans advance. Residents interested in shaping the exhibit have until Nov. 30 to apply for the committee, providing a direct opportunity to influence how Beltrami County tells its own story and how the Historic Depot serves the public going forward.