Minnesota History Center

The Minnesota History Center not only connects people with the stories of the “North Star State”, but it is also a significant research and archive destination, facilitating casual historians and qualified academics. Explore the history of Minnesota in this distinguished Romanesque building, home to tens of thousands of artefacts and documents.

The Then Now Wow exhibition is primarily aimed at school children but you'll find it difficult not to be impressed as you navigate a replica set of the Twin Cities in a streetcar or witness dynamite exploding down in the Iron Range mine. Learn about the sad tale of Rondo, an African American community in St. Paul that was ripped apart by the construction of a motorway in the 1960s. You can also explore modern tepees and 19th-century sod houses in this huge exhibition.

Experience a terrifying tornado through a dynamic multimedia presentation based on real-life events in the Weather Permitting exhibition. Make sure to check out the old ice-fishing house there too.

The Minnesota's Greatest Generation Exhibition celebrates the people who lived through the Great Depression, experienced World War II and played a part in the post-war boom. This fascinating exhibit will transport you to the 1930s where you can watch film clips in the 1930s-style cinema or view replicas of an armoured vehicle and a 1955 Ford sedan.

Situated west of downtown St. Paul, Minnesota History Center can be easily accessed via the motorway. Pay-as-you-go parking is available. Entry fee is reduced for children and seniors and it is free every Tuesday evening. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday and is closed on public holidays. Check the website for the most up-to-date information.