Events

Investigate an ancient buffalo rub through multiple data sets that demonstrate the intricate connections between bison, people and prairie, and the dominant way of life that has been a part of Minnesota’s culture for 10,000 years. 

Take an expert-lead guided tour of the petroglyphs/rock carvings that are thought to be some of the oldest in the Midwest. 

You will get the rare chance to go beyond the ropes and view carvings under their most favorable viewing conditions–up close and in the morning sun. 

The tour will be accompanied by a discussion of the archaeology of the earliest people of the Midwest and the climatic and environmental conditions they would have faced. Plan to arrive at least 10 minutes earlier than the event start time. The tour will start promptly at 9:15 am.

Learn how early hunters created arrowheads for their spears or arrows by observing a flintknapper demonstrate the process of creating stone projectile points.

After the demonstration, try your own hand at knapping.

Participants will have an interpreter-guided experience to interact with the tools and objects of the daily life of the people of the prairie. 

A travois, for example, is a tool constructed of two joined poles lashed together and pulled by a horse or dog. How was this tool suited to the landscape? Find out through this first-hand look.

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Take part in planting beans, corn, and squash—known as the three sisters because they are frequently grown together in the same mound. This practice provides long-term soil fertility and helps the plants to thrive.

Guests will mound soil and plant seeds while learning about the archeology and the ethnohistoric background of the early horticultural and agricultural people of the Upper Midwest and prairies.

In the event of rain, the event will be cancelled.

Take an expert-lead guided tour of the petroglyphs/rock carvings that are thought to be some of the oldest in the Midwest. 

You will get the rare chance to go beyond the ropes and view carvings under their most favorable viewing conditions–up close and in the morning sun. 

The tour will be accompanied by a discussion of the archaeology of the earliest people of the Midwest and the climatic and environmental conditions they would have faced. Plan to arrive at least 10 minutes earlier than the event start time. The tour will start promptly at 9:15 am.

Build your own atlatl and try it out (glue and drying time-permitting). Visitors will see a special atlatl collection on display. 

An interpreter will also discuss atlatl and bannerstone technology and archaeology.

Participants will have an interpreter-guided experience to interact with the tools and objects of the daily life of the people of the prairie. 

A travois, for example, is a tool constructed of two joined poles lashed together and pulled by a horse or dog. How was this tool suited to the landscape? Find out through this first-hand look.

Take part in planting beans, corn, and squash—known as the three sisters because they are frequently grown together in the same mound. This practice provides long-term soil fertility and helps the plants to thrive.

Guests will mound soil and plant seeds while learning about the archeology and the ethnohistoric background of the early horticultural and agricultural people of the Upper Midwest and prairies.

In the event of rain, the event will be cancelled.

Take an expert-lead guided tour of the petroglyphs/rock carvings that are thought to be some of the oldest in the Midwest. 

You will get the rare chance to go beyond the ropes and view carvings under their most favorable viewing conditions–up close and in the morning sun. 

The tour will be accompanied by a discussion of the archaeology of the earliest people of the Midwest and the climatic and environmental conditions they would have faced. Plan to arrive at least 10 minutes earlier than the event start time. The tour will start promptly at 9:15 am.

Investigate an ancient buffalo rub through multiple data sets that demonstrate the intricate connections between bison, people and prairie, and the dominant way of life that has been a part of Minnesota’s culture for 10,000 years.