Paul Bunyan Exhibits
Get the Full Bunyan Experience
See Paul & Babe’s trophies! Stop at kiosks along the byway or visit the Paul Bunyan Exhibit Room and Learning Center.
Byway Kiosks
Check out the 12 interpretive panel kiosks located throughout the byway.
Paul Bunyan Exhibit Room & Learning Center
The Learning Center is located in the office building next to the Linda Ulland Memorial Garden.
Wayfinding:
- Take the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway south of Crosslake on County Road 66.
- Turn into the US Army Corps of Engineers Cross Lake Recreation Area.
- Keep left where you’ll find parking.
- Open the door of the Corps office building and you’ve arrived at the learning center with the Paul Bunyan exhibit.
Learning Center Highlights
Explore the Paul Buyan collection provided by former Paul Bunyan personality and board member, Wayne Chamberlain.
Key pieces:
- Historic advertising items
- Children’s 45s
- Postcards
- ‘Bunyan’ piggybanks
- Humor columns
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. Plus, the former Guiness Book World record largest Paul Bunyan rag doll is in Crosslake, MN, along the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway.
Like Trivia?
Trivia fans can grab our “Exhibit Quiz and Find It” game sheet, available for you to test your powers of observation.
Ragtime Paul
This Bunyan-sized exhibit is home to a Paul Bunyan rag doll that was the previous record holder for the world’s largest rag doll in the Guinness World Book of Records!
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.
Backstory
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 eBay 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 are able to view ragtime Paul.
Nature Education
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.
Exhibit Room
Many Paul Bunyan souvenirs 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.”
Special thanks to Tom & Kathy, what a nice compliment!
SUpport
This Is Your Byway
The Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway Association is made stronger because of people who care about the beauty and preservation of our area’s natural assets. If that’s you, get in touch!
