Our Historic Roots

F.H. Whitney established the Bank of Griswold in 1880. Three years later, it merged with the First National Bank. The two-story brick building was completed in 1885 and operated as the Griswold National Bank until 1930, when it went into receivership. Today, the historic building is home to the Cass County Historical Society Museum and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

The museum’s volunteer curators have thoughtfully arranged each room with a mix of permanent and rotating exhibits. Throughout the building, visitors will find a rich collection of artifacts representing covered wagons, Native American history, early farm settlers, and more. The museum’s Native American collection has been praised for its quality, with some visitors referring to it as a “mini Smithsonian.” Artifacts from every town in Cass County—Anita, Atlantic, Cumberland, Griswold, Lewis, Marne, and Massena—are proudly displayed.

The Cass County History Museum is entirely volunteer-run. A dedicated board works to preserve the building and its collections, supported by more than twenty-five volunteers who staff the museum during the open season.

The museum first opened in 1963. In 2003, under the leadership of a new Historical Society board, the museum underwent a complete renovation—much of it accomplished by board members and volunteers. After years of hard work and dedication, the newly re-imagined museum reopened in 2007 and has since welcomed more than 1,300 visitors.

Open Season:
May through October
Wednesday–Sunday, 1–4 p.m.

Volunteers are also happy to accommodate appointments outside regular hours for visitors wishing to explore the museum, host family or class reunions, or schedule field trips and guided tours.