Welcome to the Blackduck Area History and Art Center (BAHAC), located at the top of the Lady Slipper Scenic Byway in northern Minnesota. Although some artifacts are specific to this area, we provide a “stepping back in time” experience that can be enjoyed whether you are specifically interested in this area, or history in general. The displays excite children as well as adults, and indeed we feel a special mission to bring the past to life for children.
The co-located TIN PAN gALLErY focuses on giving local artists a place to showcase their works. Featured artists’ shows are generally on display for a month. In between shows there is always an interesting variety of art on exhibit. We have truly fulfilled our mission of providing art opportunities for all ages, as we have featured everything from pre-school and kindergarten art project displays to a special artist show for an artist in her eighth decade.
In the year 2000, the Blandin/Blackduck Visioning Committee began collecting historical memorabilia as part of its 2001 Centennial Celebration planning process. The items collected came from the geographic area covered by the Blackduck School District, a 435 square mile area that includes 13 townships and the cities of Blackduck, Tenstrike, Funkley and Squaw Lake. The need for a permanent storage area for all that had been collected spurred discussions about finding a location to store the items. This evolved to the possibility of an actual history center – a place to showcase and preserve our area’s heritage while educating our young people and operating a key attraction for residents and tourists alike. In January 2005, the Blackduck Arts Council decided to partner with the BAHAC to add an arts component to the proposed Center. Working together, the History and Art Center opened its doors to the public August 19, 2006.
We live in a resort area with unlimited opportunities for outdoor recreation amidst our scenic forests, lakes and bogs. Although we are a small town we draw people from a large area. We feel fortunate to have a library, movie theater, bowling alley, golf course, city park, restaurants and some pretty interesting shopping opportunities. People travel for miles to visit and shop at Anderson Fabrics Outlet Store. Nearby attractions include the Big Bog State Park, The Lost 40, Chippewa National Forest campgrounds, Camp Rabideau (the most well-preserved CCC Camp in the nation – a National Historic Landmark) and the Lady Slipper Scenic Byway, to name a few. We’re sure you’ll want to visit us soon!
Mission Statement
To preserve materials, objects and data related to our diverse population; to remember the past, live in the present, and educate our youth for the future.
To promote the arts in our community by putting a face on the artists of the area and providing art opportunities for our residents from ages 8 to 80.