WESTBROOK, Minnesota (STPNS) --     Currie — Former history teacher at Westbrook Walnut Grove School, Dan Peterson, recently started his dream job, as interim director of the End-O-Line Country Park. In addition to his history background Peterson also has served as a member of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum Board for the past ten years.  This will be his last year serving on that board.

    The End-O-Line Museum is a subsidiary of Murray County and is under the oversight of the county commissioners. Currently the county is participating in National Museum Program (M.A.P). The program involves a study of the counties three historical sites, End-O-Line Park Museum, the Murray County Historical Museum in Slayton, and the historic Dinehart Holt House in Slayton.



    Part of the M.A.P study will help to clarify the mission of the museum and focus on the role  of the railroad and its connection with the area.

    The MAP program is an in depth study to evaluate and make suggestions about the operation of the three facilities.

    Since starting his job there this spring Peterson has been kept very busy, getting the exhibits ready and redoing the gift shop displays. He also has been working to upgrade the software for the computer system.

    He does not have his summer help yet as they are still in college. He has six summer workers that will be starting when school is done.

    He has been busy with school tours, last week he had about 120 kids coming through. In May he has 12 schools scheduled for tours, and some have more than one group. “I have been fortunate to have local volunteers, and people from R.S.V.P come in to  help out,” Peterson said.

    Peterson is in the process of setting up a self guided tour for persons that like to go at their own pace.

    Peterson said, “I have had to learn a lot about the overall operation of the museum. Learning how to operate the security system has been something I have had to learn. It is quite advanced, and each building is  covered by the system. I found out  early on when a door is left open, when the system is on, after a few minutes it calls the sheriffs office.” Also Peterson noted local people and law enforcement keep a close eye on the place.

    Peterson is really impressed with the variety of things the museum has to offer. A lot of what was done at the museum was done with local volunteers.

    Peterson said, “I would like to see more hands on things in the displays especially for children. Perhaps a video of the reenactment of the battle of the moving the county seat could be shown on a television monitor.”

    For Peterson it has been a learning experience — both in learning about all of the buildings and displays, as well as learning the business side of the museum.

    “For me it is a perfect job, because I get to teach history and work with kids of all ages,” he said.

    Today (Monday) he will be giving a tour  to an elderhostel group of senior citizen. “I  probably will learn as much as they will,” he chuckled.

    Peterson noted a couple  of events coming up. The annual Health Fair will be held Saturday, July 21, and there will be an open  house on Saturday, June 9.