Take a trip to Faribault, Minn., and you’ll find a museum that isn’t labeled as such. The displays are actually inside a bank that not only has a mission to serve the community but to also preserve and celebrate the area’s history.
The State Bank of Faribault was established in 1919. As bank president John Carlander explains, he wanted the building to be more than just a financial institution.
“Because of the community support we thought it would be important to share some of the history of Faribault,” he says.
Museum First, Bank Second
The interior of this bank draws many people to simply come and check out the building. In some ways it resembles a museum first, bank second. One of Carlander’s prized items on display is a Faribault gas engine built in the days before tractors existed. He went to an auction in Wisconsin to purchase one of the rare engines that was made in Faribault but was unsuccessful.
Three months later a unique opportunity arose.
“Some individuals came to me, and they had discovered a refurbished Faribault gas engine in Kenyon, Minn.,” Carlander explains. “I was invited to go over and take a look at it.”
He was able to purchase the antique with the idea it would be on display inside the bank. The small, but mighty engine on wheels, was used as a stationary power source for farm implements. It was built just a few blocks from the bank and was known as “The Mighty Faribault.”
It took a lot of time and effort to get the extremely heavy engine inside the bank. Visitors can see it and read some of the story behind this particular engine and the company that manufactured it.
Other unique items you’ll find inside the bank relate to a popular business from decades past.
“Fleck’s was a brewing company that made beer in the cave’s along the Straight River,” Carlander says.
Along with many pieces of Fleck’s memorabilia, the bank recreated the beer bottling line. Next to the teller counter you’ll find a conveyor of Fleck’s beer bottles moving down the line inside a display case. The line is actually in motion with bottles moving in a circle behind the glass.
The Cabela’s of the North
The bank also has an extensive collection of taxidermy. “We’ve got black bear, grizzly bears, mountain goats, whitetail, mule deer, elk and buffalo — we call it the Cabela’s of the North,” Carlander says.
The display of animals is impressive and many of the bears tower above visitors as you walk through one of the bank’s lobbies.
The bank’s slogan is, “Our interest is you.” The century-old institution strives to be more than a community bank. It also serves as a place that preserves and shares the community’s history. John, his family and the bank’s staff intended it this place to be a spot to stop and look around.
Listen to Andrew McCrea’s podcast on how Faribault, Minn., leaders have attracted visitors and businesses to the small town.
