The Norman County Historical Society (NCHS) has been collecting and preserving artifacts since 1947. Today, these collections are housed at Prairie Village in Ada, where hundreds of visitors—from across the United States, Canada, and around the world—sign the guest register each year
NCHS is committed to preserving our shared history for both present and future generations. Major exhibits are rotated every two years, with ongoing updates to current displays, so there is always something new to discover. Admission is free, and visitors are welcome to return often.
We invite you to support the preservation of Norman County’s heritage by joining the Society as an individual, family, or business member. Volunteers are always appreciated, especially those with special interests or skills to share. For more information, contact Curator Solveig Kitchell at 218-784-6904 or nchgs@arvig.net.
NCHS is a 501c3 organization
Contributions may be sent to:
Norman County Historical
PO Box 201
Ada, MN 56510
Suggested Categories of Support
- Individual: $15.00
- Family: $20.00
- Business: $25.00
Donations
Contributions and memorials may be made with the donation button on the Home page of this website, on Facebook, or by check to our address above.
NCHS is a member of the Minnesota Northwest Foundation, and as such is able to accept contributions of commodities, stocks, as well as cash donations.
Should you wish to support the very important work of preserving the history of Norman County in a larger amount or by giving a “Gift of Commodities“, contact Solveig Kitchell, NCHS Executive Director/Curator.
History of the County
Norman County was organized on February 17, 1881, from a part of Polk County, which in turn had been a part of Pembina County. The first permanent settlers were French fur trappers. The earliest settler in Norman County is thought to be John Shely in 1870. He hauled supplies from Ft. Snelling for the government to forts throughout the country before there were any settlements. Shely filed a claim near Shelly in 1871. Many of the earliest settlers came from Fillmore County Minnesota around 1871. The county’s name was chosen because of the great number of Norwegian immigrants who settled in the county. We are proud to have the most individuals of Norwegian descent in Minnesota!
Norman County is in the Red River Valley of Minnesota, one of the great farming regions of the world. The county is made up of twenty-four townships. Check out the map of the county as it looked in 1895.
The county seat is located in Ada, which is situated near the center of the county. Other towns and communities presently in Norman County include Hendrum, Halstad, Twin Valley, Gary, Borup, Perley, Flom, and Shelly. The county borders North Dakota on the west and is surrounded to the north by Polk County, to the east by Mahnomen County, and to the south by Clay County.