Historical / Cultural Sites
Historical/Cultural Sites
Carved out 12,000 years ago, the Minnesota River Basin is filled with a fascinating selection of historical and cultural sites. Travel from Fort Snelling at the confluence with the Mississippi River all the way to Browns Valley at the far end of Big Stone Lake to learn all that you can about the basin. Stop off at the Treaty Center outside of St. Peter to discover the history and natural beauty of the valley.
Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway - http://www.mnrivervalley.com/ Check out additional unique and special sites to see in the Minnesota River Basin.
Minnesota State Historical Society - http://www.mnhs.org/index.htm State historical sites in the MN River Basin are Fort Snelling, W.W. Mayo, Traverse de Sioux, Harkin Store, Jeffers Petroglpyhs, Birch Coulee Battlefield, Fort Ridgely, Lower Sioux Agency and Lac qui Parle Mission.
Minnesota DNR State Parks - http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/index.html State parks and recreation areas found in the MN River Basin include Fort Snelling, Minnesota Valley, Minneopa, Flandrau, Camden, Fort Ridgely, Upper Sioux, Lac qui Parle, Sibley, Glacial Lake, Monson Lake, and Big Stone Lake.
Prairie Waters - http://www.prairiewaters.com/. Find out what is happening in the western Minnesota area and the start of the Minnesota River at the South Dakota border.
Minnesota River Sips of History Trail - http://www.mnriverwinebeerhistorytrail.com/ Explore some of the history of the Minnesota River Valley through wineries, breweries and museums.
Big Stone County Historical Society - http://www.stenseth.org/hs/bigstone.html Home to the Charles Hanson North American Wildlife Collection.
Lac qui Parle Mission - http://www.mnhs.org/places/sites/lpm/ Established in 1835, learn about life at this pre-territorial mission, the development of the Dakota alphabet and the translation of the Bible.
Stevens County Historical Society - http://www.stevenshistorymuseum.com/ See historical artifacts of life on the prairie including books, clothing, tools, photographs, and displays on farming, industry, education and more.
Swift County Historical Society - http://www.swift-museum.org/ Founded in 1929, the mission is to discover and collect any materials to help establish or illustrate the history of Swift County.
Chippewa County Historical Society - http://www.chippewacohistory.org/ Check out historic Chippewa City on 20 acres in Montevideo replicating a late 1800’s village and home to 24 buildings.
Renville County Historical Museum - http://www.renvillecountyhistory.com/ Established in 1940, this museum tells the story of Renville County, Minnesota.
Brown County Historical Society - http://75.146.162.52/bchs/ Housed in the former post office building, this historical society collects, studies, researches, interprets, preserves and conserves exhibit artifacts and archival materials of Brown County.
Nicollet County Historical Society - http://www.nchsmn.org/. The story of Nicollet County, the Minnesota River Valley and Minnesota is told through the Treaty Site History Center, Harkin Store, Fort Ridgely and E. St. Julien Cox House.
Watonwan County Historical Society - http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mnwatonw/wchs.htm. A historical center in Madelia provides a view of Watonwan County’s history along with a research library.
Blue Earth County Historical Society - http://www.bechshistory.com/. This nonprofit organization operates the Heritage Center Museum and Historic R.D. Hubbard House.
Martin County Historical Society - http://www.fairmont.org/mchs/. On display is the history of Martin County including a Paul and Linda McCartney visit in 1994 to launch Linda’s line of vegetarian TV dinners.
Waseca County Historical Society - http://www.historical.waseca.mn.us/ Former Faith United Methodist Church is home to the county historical society. Other historical exhibits can be found at the Hodgson Hall at the Waseca County Fairgrounds and the Bailey House.
Sibley County Historical Museum - http://www.sibleycountyhistoricalmuseum.com/ Located in historic Henderson, the museum collects, preserves, and interprets the history of Sibley County.
Scott County Historical Society - http://www.scottcountyhistory.org/index.html Visit the Stans Museum to explore interactive exhibits featuring the history and people of Scotty County.
Carver County Historical Society - http://www.carvercountyhistoricalsociety.org/ Five local exhibits, a veterans’ exhibit along with a local history and genealogy library helps tell Carver County’s history.