Weekend Showcase: Museum at MN Waterfowl Association
Just off the main drag on First Street North, in Hopkins, is a little gem of a museum you may not have even known was here. If you’re into the environment, ducks, or duck hunting; the Minnesota Waterfowl Association is the place for you.
A headquarters….and a museum
“The Minnesota Waterfowl Association is a fifty year old organization, but were a conversation and education organization,” said Brad Nylin, the CEO for the organization. There are more than 70,000 waterfowl hunters in Minnesota. The Association teaches the public about waterfowl and the outdoors.
“The museum here really represents a glimpse of history within waterfowling,” says Nylin.
More than 150 birds are on display as well as duck boats, duck calls and decoys. Some of the equipment is more than 100 years old.
Many of the species are mounted in flock form just as you would see them in flight out in the field.
Memories in an old duck shack
One of the most eye catching displays is the duck shack wall. Many birds are displayed in what are called dead mounts.
“We wanted a place where people could come and remember what it was like back when my grand father was hunting,” explains Nylin. “So its really a place to come and remember and talk about the good old days.”
The museum is open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Evening and weekend tours can be made by appointment.
