State Historic Preservation Office
The Historic Preservation, Field Services, and Grants Department at the Minnesota Historical Society maintains information on Minnesota’s prehistoric and historic cultural resources. This information has been collected over many years by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), countless individuals from federal, state and local agencies; county and local historical societies; educational institutions; and research organizations, as well as private property owners.
The major resource files and databases on Minnesota’s cultural heritage include the National Register of Historic Places, the Standing Structure and Archaeological inventories, and historic and archaeological project reports.
Office hours are 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, Tuesday through Friday.
Searching the Collection
All materials described here are housed at the State Historic
Preservation Office located in the Minnesota
History Center in St. Paul. You do not need an appointment in order
to use the files. It is advisable, however, to call ahead
at 651-259-3450 to insure that someone will be available
to assist you.
Note: Some information about archaeological sites is sensitive and may require controlled access to conform with state or federal laws or other applicable statutory provisions.
Copy Services
The State Historic Preservation Office is able to handle small requests for photoduplication over the phone. If the files are large, or if the request is complicated, the patron is required to visit our office. All requests are handled on an individual basis.
Patrons requesting photographs from the Minnesota Historical Society Collections should refer to Copy Services.
