Spring Begins at the Minnesota Historical Society

ST. PAUL, Minn. (April 1, 2026) – Spring brings historic traditions back into view at the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS)! It’s the perfect season for both indoor educational events and relaxed outdoor exploration. Join MNHS April 25 as we provide greater access to history with our next free admission day, and be sure to keep an eye on our calendar because new events are being added all the time.

Minnesota History Center, St. Paul

Film Screening: White House Red Carpet with Julia Child, April 9
Take in a free screening of White House Red Carpet with Julia Child to get Child’s behind-the-scenes perspective of entertaining at the White House.

Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents That Forged the Republic, April 11
Take a peak into one of the most fascinating and influential periods in American history. Join Lindsay Chervinsky, a national leading historian and author, in her retelling of John Adams’ presidency as part of History Forum 250: Revisiting the Revolution.

Minnesota Jazz Legends Concert, April 12
This special concert honors Minnesota jazz legends and commemorates pioneers of the Twin Cities jazz scene.

The Dr. Harold C. Deutsch World War II History Round Table, April 14
Join Dan Hampton, author of Vanishing Act, as he tells the story of Plane #8 of the 1942 Doolittle Mission that landed in the Soviet Union after dropping bombs in Japan.

Muyehpen: A Live Performance, April 17 & 19 
Join us for the first-ever theatrical production by a K’nyaw (Karen) playwright in the United States! Adapted from a K’nyaw legend passed down through generations in Burma, Ehkhudah Zar’s Muyehpen shares a story of resistance and resilience with a new generation.

North Star Voices: History in Motion, April 18
Dive into a beloved piece of Minnesota history as Tracy Tolzmann shares the colorful story of the historic State Fair carousel. This event is made possible by the Maurice Stans Fund.

Bon Appétit: Julia Child's Dinner with the Presidents, April 25
Acclaimed author Alex Prud’homme leads a conversation about his grand aunt, Julia Child. The talk covers Julia and husband Paul’s time in France, presidential dinners, and her memoir writing process.

Rothchild Family Concert Series: Son de Cuerdas, April 30
The Laurel School of Music presents a free concert by Son De Cuerdas, the bilingual ensemble that promotes Hispanic/Latin music through workshops, outreach, and collaborations.

A Promised Land: Jewish Patriots, the American Revolution, and the Birth of Religious Freedom, May 7
Historian Adam Jortner reveals how Judaism shaped the early American debate over religious freedom, showing that Jewish patriots were instrumental both in the Revolution and in defining the new republic as part of History Forum 250: Revisiting the Revolution.

Booked on Thursdays, April 30 & May 21
Block off your calendar and open a book from the MNHS reading list. Join this once-monthly book club for spirited discussions on the themes and messages from literature by local Minnesota authors.

James J. Hill House, St. Paul

Easter Egg Hunt, April 4
Hop over to the James J. Hill House for this annual tradition. The family-friendly event features an egg hunt, a monarch butterfly scavenger hunt, and story time.

Nooks & Crannies Tour, Through Spring
Go beyond the standard tour with rare access to hidden areas of the Hill House, including the attic theater, gate house, and private storage spaces usually closed to the public. This 90-minute guided experience highlights personal stories of the Hill family and domestic workers, paired with close-up views of original artifacts and fixtures.

         Historic Fort Snelling, St. Paul

Author Event: “Returning the Sword” by Caren Stelson, April 1
Returning the Sword shares the story of a WWII American Marine Veteran, one of the first soldiers into Nagasaki after Japan’s surrender as part of the US occupying force. This panel discussion, featuring award-winning author Caren Stelson, connects the book’s themes to Minnesota and the present day.

Golf Cart Tours, April 21
Hop aboard a staff-guided golf cart for a one-hour tour through the many layers of Fort Snelling’s history. Explore the restored 19th-century stone fort and surrounding areas—all from the comfort of your seat.

Coffee Chat: Military Intelligence Service Language School, May 9
This coffee chat discusses the Military Intelligence Service Language School, which recruited Japanese Americans to serve as linguists during WWII.

Author Event: “Enmity and Empathy” with Ka F. Wong, May 16
Attend an author talk and book signing with Ka F. Wong, author of Enmity and Empathy: Japanese Americans in Minnesota During World War II, which discusses the forced eviction and confinement of Japanese Americans after Pearl Harbor in 1941.

Mill City Museum, Minneapolis

Book Launch: "Making Mill City: Flour and Fortune in Minneapolis" with Author Robert Frame III, April 9
Join author and historian Robert M. Frame III in celebrating his newest book which richly illustrates the history of the flour factories that transformed the milling industry worldwide.

Season's Eatings: Spring, April 12
Sample a lemon poppy seed Bundt cake recipe and explore the history of the famous Nordic Ware Bundt cake pan.

Pot Likker: Food, Memory, and the Art of Nourishment, May 1
This intimate, hands-on gathering brings together food, storytelling, and art to explore how everyday cooking carries memory, culture, and care. Hosted in collaboration with Chef Lachelle Cunningham, the evening centers on pot likker, a deeply nourishing broth rooted in Black food traditions and shaped by generations of ingenuity.

Pearl's Garden Family Day, May 2
Author and artist Carolyn Olson invites families to the Mill City Farmers Market to plant seeds, engage in art activities, and chat with her about her newest children’s book.

Millers' Tour, Through Spring
Join this 60-minute, in-depth tour of the Washburn A Mill Complex. Gain special insights on who worked at the mill and how it ran.

Sibley Historic Site, Mendota

Becoming the Twin Cities: Swindles, Schemes, and Enduring Rivalries, April 17
Minneapolis and St. Paul’s split identity is no accident. In Becoming the Twin Cities, award‑winning author Drew M. Ross uncovers the 19th‑century rivalries, political maneuvering, and personal ambitions that cemented the two cities’ distinct personalities.

Split Rock Lighthouse, Two Harbors

Hard Hat Tours, Through April
Experience Split Rock Lighthouse from a whole new perspective. Hard Hat Tours go behind the scenes to explore areas connected to an active preservation project and what it takes to protect this historic structure for generations to come.

Photography & Art at the Rock, April 25
Artist Jane Dierberger will be on-site to answer questions about her exhibit featured at Split Rock Lighthouse throughout the month of April. By the Shining Big-Sea-Water is a collection of paintings inspired by Lake Superior and other northern places.

Peregrines of the North Shore, April 25
Researcher Jackie Fallon shares her experiences studying and caring for peregrine falcons of Northern Minnesota. See falcons up close and learn about the restoration program allowing these birds to return to the Northland.

Forest History Center, Grand Rapids

Warbler Walks, May 2 - 30
Spring migration brings many bird species to the Forest History Center in Grand Rapids. Join birdwatchers for informal walks through the trails searching for warblers and other migrant birds. Wednesday and Friday mornings throughout May.

Oliver Kelley Farm, Elk River

Intro to Blacksmithing for Hobbyists, April 4
This introductory blacksmithing class is designed for beginners and hobbyists who want to experience the fundamentals of forging in a welcoming, hands-on environment.

“Dish and Tell” Cookbook Release Celebration with Sarah Peterson, April 11
Arrive early to sample food and participate in a cooking demonstration of the traditional Slovenian sweet bread called potica (poh-tee-zah), which is traditionally made by many hands.

Spring Cleaning Day on the Farm, April 25
Roll up your sleeves and start spring cleaning early at the farm. Work alongside staff to discover how 19th-century farm families prepared their houses, gardens, and fields for the busy months ahead.

Springtime on the Farm, May 9
Spring into the season with this annual tradition. Sherburne County Master Gardeners will host a plant sale; guests can meet barnyard animals and plant a flower for mom, who gets in for free!

Spring Foraging for Wild Edibles, May 30
Learn how plants growing all around us can be used to create delicious meals. Start outside and take your findings to the kitchen for a complete preparation experience of wild foods.

Funding for free admission is provided by the State of Minnesota's Legacy Amendment, through the vote of Minnesotans on Nov. 4, 2008, and our generous donors and members.