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Former Congressman Collin Peterson makes 'significant' donation to local museum

The Becker County Museum announced Monday that former U.S. Congressman Collin Peterson of Detroit Lakes has donated some artifacts from his Washington, D.C., office to be part of the museum's permanent collection.

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Former U.S. Congressman Collin Peterson, who ended his 30-year tenure of representing Minnesota's 7th District this month, has donated several items from his Washington, D.C., office to the Becker County Museum. (File photo)

The Honorable Collin C. Peterson, former Member of Congress from Detroit Lakes — who represented Minnesota’s Seventh Congressional District in Washington, D.C. — has made a significant donation to the Becker County Museum for archival and historical purposes.

The items included are official office papers, correspondence, furniture, memorabilia, awards, photographs, plaques and books among other unique items.

“It was a great honor to serve the people of Minnesota’s Seventh District, and to lead the House Agriculture Committee to help advance the causes of rural America,” Peterson said. “Becker County has been my home for most of my life, and I’m grateful for the museum’s efforts to help preserve this history for generations to come."

Peterson, who served Minnesota’s Seventh District for 30 years, was also the Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee for many years and his work had a great impact on agriculture not just in the Red River Valley, but throughout the Midwest and across America.

Once archived, Peterson’s papers and correspondence will be available for research and educational purposes.

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Peterson’s desk and chair from his Washington, D.C. office, along with a few pieces of memorabilia will be on display in the existing Becker County Museum. A larger exhibit is slated to open, along with a new facility for the Becker County Museum, in the spring of 2022.

For more information on the donation, how to sponsor this exhibit, or contribute to the Becker County Museum’s proposed building project, please contact Executive Director Becky Mitchell at 218-847-2938.

A reporter at Detroit Lakes Newspapers since relocating to the community in October 2000, Vicki was promoted to Community News Lead for the Detroit Lakes Tribune and Perham Focus on Jan. 1, 2022. She has covered pretty much every "beat" that a reporter can be assigned, from county board and city council to entertainment, crime and even sports. Born and raised in Madelia, Minnesota, she is a graduate of Hamline University, from which she earned a bachelor's degree in English literature (writing concentration). You can reach her at vgerdes@dlnewspapers.com.
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