OTCHS executive director retired after 37 years of service 

Photo by Tom Hintgen
Retiring county museum Executive Director Chris Schuelke, center holding plaque, was honored by county commissioners on March 24. From left are Commissioner Wayne Johnson of Pelican Rapids, Commissioner Sean Sullivan of Fergus Falls, Schuelke, Commissioner Bob Lahman of Parkers Prairie and Commissioner Dan Bucholz of Perham. Unable to attend the meeting was Commissioner Kurt Mortenson of rural Underwood.

By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

Chris Schuelke, retiring executive director of the Otter Tail County Historical Society (county museum), was honored by the county board of commissioners on March 24 for his 37 years of service. 

He was hired in 1989, serving as curator for two years and spending 35 years as executive director. Schuelke, who was presented a plaque by county commissioners, said during his time as executive director he strived to have the historical society serve all of Otter Tail County.

In turn, county commissioners praised Schuelke for bringing history to life in Otter Tail County, with the help of his employees.

“You always told good stories about county history, and our residents of Otter Tail County have appreciated your many years of service,” said County Commissioner Wayne Johnson of Pelican Rapids.

County Commissioner Sean Sullivan of Fergus Falls praised Schuelke as “the voice of Otter Tail County history.” County Board Chairman Bob Lahman of Parkers Prairie praised Schuelke and his staff for their many exhibits at the county museum in Fergus Falls and for the many outreach programs to bring history to all areas of Otter Tail County.

Schuelke especially enjoyed times of celebration related to the history of Otter Tail County, including an event at Old Clitherall during the county’s 150th anniversary celebration in 2018.

Otter Tail County had its beginning on Sept. 12, 1868. The 150th birthday event, headed by Schuelke, was held in Old Town Clitherall, where the first county commissioners held their inaugural meeting. The celebration highlighted the area’s history, including the 1865 Clitherall Lake settlement.

A traveling theatrical production about the county’s 150th anniversary celebration was staged in four communities. They included Battle Lake, Perham, Pelican Rapids and Parkers Prairie.

Schuelke’s responsibilities included creating and researching exhibits, organizing historical tours throughout Otter Tail County, managing the fiscal health of the organization and overseeing the staff of five people.

He brought forward creative ways for people to engage with history such as Downtown Mystery Tours and Halloween events.

Schuelke graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Platteville with a Bachelor of Science in history and political science, and then attended Eastern Illinois University for a Master of Arts in historical administration.