ABOVE: Lenny Tvedten, Executive Director of the Martin County Historical Society, sits in his office in Fairmont. This month marks 25 years that Tvedten has held the role.

FAIRMONT– This month marks the 25th anniversary for Martin County Historical Society’s Executive Director, Lenny Tvedten. Prior to taking this role, Tvedten spent 30 years as an elementary school teacher. While his two careers have been different, he’s found commonalities between the two, and better yet, has gotten enjoyment and fulfillment from both.

He grew up locally in Elmore and went to Mankato State College, now University of Minnesota-Mankato, where he majored in education. Tvedten got his first job teaching 5th grade at Lincoln School in Fairmont in 1967.

“That was during Vietnam. The following year I was faced with the draft and enlisted in the United States Coast Guard in November. I spent four years in the military,” Tvedten said.

He came back to Fairmont, where his job was waiting for him, in 1970. Tvedten intended to teach at the school just another two years.

“Magically it turned into 30,” he said with a laugh.

ABOVE: Lenny Tvedten stands with some of his students while teaching a 5th grade class at Lincoln School in Fairmont in 1978. Tvedten spent 30 years as a teacher before he became director of the museum. Submitted photo.

He taught a few different elementary grade levels and subjects over the years, including reading, English and science.

In his current role, Tvedten said he hears from some people who are surprised that he never taught history.

In 2001, Tvedten retired from the Fairmont Area School District at the age of 56. He knew at that time that he wanted to do something else with his time.

“I didn’t know for sure what it was,” Tvedten said. “What happened was two board members of the historical society contacted me and they asked if I would be interested in a new position, which would be the executive director job.”

Tvedten initially said that the only thing he knew about a museum was how to spell it, and he turned them down.

“One of them handed me a job description and I said I’d think about it. I showed it to my wife and her words were, ‘that’s you,’ so I met with the board and I could tell that they were committed. They were wanting to make this place good and that interested me,” Tvedten said.

He decided to give the job a shot and started in January 2001, though he wasn’t set to retire from teaching until June of 2001. Tvedten was able to ease into the job over the first five months.

Just like with his job teaching at Lincoln School, Tvedten figured he’d keep the director job at the museum for a few years.

“I found it really interesting and I learned so many different things in terms of technology and research and what the museum and historical society is all about. I’ve experienced really great board members who are positive and proactive and don’t micromanage,” Tvedten said.

He also stressed that the Martin County community has been positive, supportive and helpful over the years.

Looking at some of what he’s accomplished over the last 25 years, Tvedten said that the research library, where archives of the local newspapers live, was added, and the county newspaper were also digitized.

“We put in motion lighting, put in an elevator, purchased the Parsonage. Genealogy became a part of our organization. We have the school visitation program now and do powerpoints on and off site. Thanks to Jeff (Rouse) our website is improved and we have a Facebook page,” Tvedten said.

He’s also been able to put out thee different books. The first one is a compilation of articles he’s written on Martin County history that have appeared in local newspapers. Another book he’s written is on the history of Martin County businesses and another on Martin County veterans. Tvedten is in the final stages of his fourth book, which is on Martin County farms.

“It’s been a blessing to me because I’ve enjoyed it so much. It’s not like I get up in the morning and say, ‘oh, I have to go to work.’ I just look forward to it,” Tvedten said.

While improvements and additions have been made to the museum under Tvedten’s charge, it’s also garnered some special attention over the years.

In January 2023, a Minneapolis Star Tribune article featured an individual who had visited all 87 county historical societies in the state and had ranked Martin County as his number one. Just this past year, Senator Amy Klobuchar toured the museum, as did Seth Varner, commonly known as the Wandermore guy.

One of Tvedten’s favorite moments was when he got to interview former vice president and Martin County native, Walter Mondale, in 2008. Later, after Mondale had passed away, Tvedten was contacted by Jon Meacham, a presidential historian, who wanted more information on Mondale.

ABOVE: Lenny Tvedten, right, interviews former vice president and Martin County native, Walter Mondale, in 2008. Submitted photo.

Looking back on his two careers, Tvedten can see how his first has aided him in his second.

“Having been a teacher, I really think that’s helpful in this job. Not only for the school visitation program, but just in general for helping people learn the local history of Fairmont and Martin County,” Tvedten said.

The fact that’s he’s met so many people is also something that’s brought Tvedten much enjoyment over the years. He’s proud of his former students, several of whom he’s brought back as the guest speaker of the Historical Society’s annual meeting.

The current curator, Jim Marushin, is a former student of Tvedten’s and has been at the museum since 2008. Along with him, Dona Paris works as the administrative assistant and specializes in genealogy.

“We all enjoy working here. Jim does, Dona does,” Tvedten said.

He said he’s also learned a lot from the people he’s met, those who are former students and those who are not.

“The things they can relay from the past whether it’s from relatives or business or things like that. It’s helpful and it’s interesting,” Tvedten said.

When asked if he has any plans to retire, Tvedten, who is now 80, said, “As long as I feel good and I can make a difference with what I do, I’m going to keep plugging away. I think it’s’ important to stay active both mentally and physically. You have to deal with the whole aspect of the job… it helps the brain and helps you, too, to get better versed in different areas.”

*Editor’s note: This article ran in the Sentinel’s Just for Seniors section on Jan. 29, 2026.