Minnesota Historical Society

Featured Events

Dairy Days Weekend

June 22 10:00 am - 5:00 pm | Elk River

Celebrate Dairy Month and discover how farmers cared for their dairy cattle in the mid-19th century versus today. Help mix up grain rations, water cattle, and make butter and cottage cheese.

Sat., Jun 22

Riverfront Stories Family Walking Tour

Mill City Museum, Minneapolis

Sat., Jun 22

"The Forever Sky" Book Launch & Children's Activities

Historic Fort Snelling, St. Paul

Sat., Jun 22

Peregrine Falcons on the North Shore

Split Rock Lighthouse, Two Harbors

Sun., Jun 23

Disasters of the Riverfront Walking Tour

Mill City Museum, Minneapolis

Mon., Jun 24

Arts on the River Day Camp

Mill City Museum, Minneapolis

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Featured Exhibits

First Avenue: Stories of Minnesota's Mainroom.

Open House exhibit, now on view, Minnesota History Center.

Then Now Wow, Now on View, Minnesota History Center.

History Matters

Thank you, Minnesota

Help us thank state leaders for their ongoing commitment to history.

Shop

Celebrate Dairy Days

Celebrate Dairy Days at the Oliver Kelley Farm with the book It's Milking Time.

New from MNHS Press

Hijinx and Hearsay

A look back at famous and infamous artists, musicians, and entertainers who came through Minnesota, viewed through stellar photos and engaging stories from two guys who were there on the scene.

Featured MNopedia Article

In 1981, AIDS was a mystery illness—a so-called “gay plague” because of its initial appearance among men who had sex with other men in large coastal cities like New York and San Francisco. Minnesotans breathed a sigh of relief, thinking they were far enough from the epidemic to be safe. But they were wrong.

Collections Item of the Day

Juneteenth

This men's kufi cap, manufactured by Batakali Fashion Design of New Hope, was acquired at the 1990 Juneteenth celebration in Minneapolis. Juneteenth is the holiday commemorating the abolition of slavery in the United States as announced on June 19, 1865 in Galveston, Texas.The cap features geometric line patterns printed in colors symbolic of Pan-Africanism: orange yellow, reddish orange, green, and black.

Storied

Prince: Before the Rain

Minnesota photographer Allen Beaulieu captured Prince's progression from rising star to his ultimate purple superstardom.

Gale Family Library

First Avenue & 7th Street Entry

Explore the history of this Twin Cities landmark – from its time as a bus depot through its modern role as a music venue – using resources at the Gale Family Library.