Exhibit Room

See Paul & Babe's Trophies! Visit the Paul Bunyan Exhibit Room and Learning Center

Drive the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway south of Crosslake on County Road 66. Turn into the US Army Corps of Engineer’s Cross Lake Recreation Area. Keep left where you'll find parking. Open the door of the Corps office building and walk into the learning center with Paul Bunyan exhibit. 

Several key pieces of the Paul Bunyan collection included in the growing display were provided by former Paul Bunyan personality and board member, Wayne Chamberlain. From historic advertising items using the famous logger’s face to children’s records, post cards, ‘Bunyan’ piggybanks and humor columns. For the trivia fans in your group, there's even "Exhibit Quiz and Find It" game sheet available for you to test your powers of observation.

Adding to the exhibit’s appeal are historic clothing pieces, books, and more, provided by historical re-enactor and retired Crosslake Corps director, Ray Nelson.The Guiness Book World record largest Paul Bunyan rag doll is in Crosslake, MN, along the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway.

This Bunyan-sized exhibit is home to a Paul Bunyan rag doll listed in the Guinness World Book of Records as the world's largest rag doll. Paul even comes with his own wooden chair. He's one of a kind. Constructed like a jointed Cabbage Patch doll and measuring nearly thirteen feet tall, ragtime Paul Bunyan rules over the eclectic array of Bunyan memorabilia.

How did a World Record holding Paul Bunyan rag doll find its way to the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway in Minnesota? 
The story goes, vigilant Paul Bunyan collector and past Byway Association board member, Wayne Chamberlain while on an e-Bay shopping excursion, noticed the big rag doll, complete with his own big chair. Wayne got in touch with the owner and told her about the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway Association and the Bunyan memorabilia exhibit. It must've been the right time and the right home, because ragtime Paul and his chair became a donation to the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway Association. And now, visitors to the exhibit room in Crosslake will be able to view ragtime Paul, the world's largest rag doll.
Many Paul Bunyan souviners are in the exhibit room along the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway.

Signed Paper Doll depicting Paul Bunyan with Babe the Blue Ox as "Folk Hero of the Great North Woods".  We learned its' long-time artist, Tom Tierney, New York, has created a vast number of paper dolls on all sorts of subjects but this is the only one that holds tribute to Paul & Babe. "Tom is honored that his paper doll holds a place in your museum." Thanks Tom & Kathy, what a nice compliment!

The Learning Center has nature exhibits to identify animal paw prints, and animal scat, bird and small animal mounts, tree and plant identification materials. You'll find plenty of resources for education about our lakes and local water safety.

The displays and exhibits can be viewed during office hours at the Crosslake Corps of Engineers. Contact Deb or Ray at 218-692-2025 for hours.

To support the Byway you may donate toward this or the many other projects currently underway. Or join the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway Association.