Online Resources

Primary and secondary sources on historical topics.

Collections online

Search for photographs, three dimensional and archaeological objects, artwork, oral histories, moving images, maps, and more. A single search can display items across many of our collections.

Duluth Lynchings online resource

Primary sources about the 1920 lynching of three young black men in Duluth. Search historical documents and listen to oral history interviews of blacks who lived in Duluth around the time of the lynchings. Designed for older students.

Forests, Fields, and the Falls

Explore Minnesota's early industries of logging, farming and milling in this interactive graphic novel.

Historic Fort Snelling educator resources

Check out the many resources for studying about Fort Snelling and its place in the history of Minnesota and the nation.

Hmong in Minnesota

Minnesota Historical Society resources about the history and culture of Minnesota’s Hmong people.

Minnesota Book of Days

"This Day in Minnesota History" has events has events that happened in Minnesota for every day of the year.

MN90: Minnesota History in 90 Seconds

Learn about Minnesota history in 90-second radio episodes. MN90 is a partnership with AMPERS, a network of Independent Public Radio stations across Minnesota, and the Minnesota Historical Society.

MNopedia

MNopedia is an online encyclopedia about Minnesota created by the Minnesota Historical Society and its partners.

Research guides

Need an idea for a paper topic? This listing of topics related to Minnesota history gives background information on a wide variety of topics and lists suggested resource material found in the Minnesota Historical Society Library.

Stories of Minnesota's Greatest Generation

Explore the legacy of Minnesota's Greatest Generation through their personal stories. Primary source include photographs, objects and letters. 

Teaching with curated collections

A curated collection of resources about specific subjects in Minnesota and U.S. history.

U.S.-Dakota War of 1862

This website shares historical background, a timeline of events, public programs, books links to photos, documents and artifacts relating to the U.S. Dakota War of 1862.

"What's In My Footlocker?"

This animated, interactive discovery activity engages students in stories about the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) using 3-D objects, oral history audio clips, vocal narration, and music.

MNHS Web Archive

The following websites are no longer being maintained, but have been archived for ongoing public use. Some functionality may be limited.

  • A Place in Time: A Look at Fort Snelling’s Past
    A graphic visualization of life at Fort Snelling based on primary sources, including ledger book data and weather and mail records.
  • Becoming Minnesotan: Recent Immigrants and Refugees
    A collection of oral histories that represents a unique source of contemporary history through the experiences of the newest Americans, in their own words.
  • Civil War Letters of the Christie Family
    Letters from three brothers fighting in the Civil War. Digital images of some of the most interesting letters from the collection are online. Typed transcripts have been created to make the letters easier to read.
  • Dakota Language and Grammar
    This collection of fun and informative lessons provides numerous entry points for Dakota language learners.
  • Governors of Minnesota
    Portraits and biographies about all of Minnesota's governors. Also includes first ladies, the governor's residence and much more.
  • Lumberjack Math
    Combines the study of math and social studies for grades 5 - 8.
  • Minnesota and the Civil War
    A starting place for exploration of the rich and complex history of Minnesota's involvement in the U.S. Civil War.
  • Minnesota Author Biographies
    Maud Hart Lovelace, Sinclair Lewis, F. Scott Fitzgerald and many other Minnesota authors are featured in this extensive resource.
  • Minnesota Communities
    Explore the fascinating histories of three towns in Minnesota. Primary sources expose you to the hidden treasures of the past.
  • Tales of the Territory
    Activities and stories about Minnesota in the years before it became a state. Based on a past Minnesota History Center exhibit.