The 10 Best History Museums in Minnesota, United States

July 2, 2021 Ying Subia

The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul have the famous Mall of America and Walker Art Institute. Bluff Country to the south has water sports and cross country skiing. The Prairielands abound with lake recreations.
Restaurants in Minnesota

1. Crosslake Historic Village

35404 County Road 3, Crosslake, MN 56442-3105 +1 218-692-5400 http://www.crosslakehistoricalsociety.org/
Excellent
80%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 10 reviews

Crosslake Historic Village

2. Forest History Center

2609 County Road 76, Grand Rapids, MN 55744-8646 +1 218-327-4482 http://www.mnhs.org/foresthistory
Excellent
79%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 121 reviews

Forest History Center

CLOSED for the season til June 2020. Discover the past, present and future of Minnesota's forests through guided tours of a 1900s era logging camp and hands-on environmental learning programs. Board the moored river "wanigan," a floating cook shack, take a seat on the porch of a 1930s Minnesota Forest Service patrolman's cabin, climb a 100-foot fire tower and explore the site's self-guided trails.

Reviewed By SUZANNEM671 - Grand Rapids, United States

The forest history is in a beautiful setting. The museum itself has many interesting exhibits and a history video. The best part was the lumber harvesting settlement located behind the museum. The living history skit gave a a good idea of what was life was like in a lumber camp and what was involved in ancient logging. I would not miss the opportunity to visit this venue. Also has trails around it good for snow shoes or cross country sking. They even rent out the equipment if you want to give it a go.

3. Minnesota Military Museum

+1 320-616-6050 [email protected] http://www.mnmilitarymuseum.org/
Excellent
83%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 6 reviews

Minnesota Military Museum

Military history museum focused on Minnesota Military History from Civil War era through current time. Current special exhibits include "Minnesota Voices of Vietnam" and "Minnesota and First World War." Extensive outdoor exhibits of aircraft, tanks, artillery, military vehicles. Family friendly.

4. Veit Automotive Foundation Educational Museum

914 80th St NW, Buffalo, MN 55313-2709 +1 612-805-4780 [email protected] http://www.veitauto.com
Excellent
96%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 50 reviews

Veit Automotive Foundation Educational Museum

Collector cars, gas pumps, memorabilia and grounds.

5. Folsom House

272 W Government St, Taylors Falls, MN 55084-1100 +1 651-465-3125 http://sites.mnhs.org/historic-sites/folsom-house
Excellent
88%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 8 reviews

Folsom House

6. Soo Line Depot Museum

101 1st Street North East directly North of Super One Grocery Store, Crosby, MN 56441-1605 +1 218-546-6178 http://www.cuyunahistory.org/museum.html
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 9 reviews

Soo Line Depot Museum

7. Wings of the North Air Museum

10100 Flying Cloud Dr, Eden Prairie, MN 55347-4016 +1 952-746-6100 [email protected] http://www.wotn.org/
Excellent
97%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 32 reviews

Wings of the North Air Museum

The museum features five beautifully restored World War II aircraft including an AT-6D Texan, a P-51D Mustang, and a Boeing N2S-1 Stearman that was flown by future President George HW Bush during his training as a Navy pilot, and a TBM Avenger. Other displays include aircraft engines, an ejection seat, a WWII Jeep built by Ford, and aviation art. Tours for groups of 8 or more by appointment and the museum is available for small group meetings and parties. Call for rates. We are often open on holidays. Call or check our Facebook page.

Reviewed By TimothyB173 - Minneapolis, United States

This is a great little air museum located at Flying Cloud Airport in Eden Prairie, MN with easy and short access from I-494. They don't have an extensive collection of aircraft, but what they don't have in quantity they make up for in quality and the knowledge of their volunteers. Unlike most museums, Wings of the North has a team of volunteer docents that guides you through the memorabilia collection inside and then then aircraft collection in the hangar. It's the volunteers that makes this such a unique experience. Their knowledge is exceptional and they take the time to answer all of your questions. The collection includes the Stearman in which President George HW Bush (41) earned his wings while he was a naval flight cadet in Minneapolis. If you're visiting the Twin Cities and are into aviation, I also highly recommend the Commemorative Air Force Minnesota Chapter Museum at Flemming Field in South St. Paul. Also the Northwest Airlines History Center has a wonderful little museum that's run by several of the NWA retirees. This is located in the Crowne Plaza Hotel on 34th Ave just off I-494 from MSP airport. And finally, if you're up for a drive, the Fagan Fighters Museum in Granite Falls, MN is simply top-notch. This is a very enjoyable 2-hour drive from the Twin Cities through the heart of Minnesota farm country.

8. Minnesota History Center

345 Kellogg Blvd W, Saint Paul, MN 55102-1903 +1 651-259-3000 http://www.mnhs.org/historycenter
Excellent
74%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 601 reviews

Minnesota History Center

An interactive museum with both permanent and changing exhibits, the Minnesota History Center hosts concerts, lectures, family days and other special events throughout the year. The building is also home to the Minnesota Historical Society library and archives, a research destination for schoolchildren, family historians and academics.

Reviewed By JoanieM620 - Grantsburg, United States

I spend 3 days doing research in the History Library. Their collection of materials is extensive and the staff is very helpful. They showed me how to use the microfilm reader and make copies from the digital copier. In the print materials room, it was easy to use the computer to find the materials I needed. The staff was quick in retrieving items from the archives that I wanted to read through. All-in-all, I had a very successful time doing research.

9. Northern Trackers Railroad Club

36184 Cnty Rd 66, Crosslake, MN 56442-2924 +1 218-692-1900 http://www.northerntrackersrrclub.com/
Excellent
71%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7 reviews

Northern Trackers Railroad Club

10. James J. Hill House

240 Summit Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55102-2194 +1 651-297-2555 http://www.mnhs.org/hillhouse
Excellent
67%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 497 reviews

James J. Hill House

Rugged stone, massive scale, fine detail and ingenious mechanical systems recall the powerful presence of James J. Hill, builder of the Great Northern Railway. Guides lead tours that help you imagine family and servant life in the Gilded Age mansion, the setting of the public and private lives of the Hill family. The James J. Hill House is a National Historic Landmark. The home also includes an art gallery, which features work from the Minnesota Historical Society's collections.

Reviewed By suebee220

I've been here three times and find it fascinating. It's my go to place when I have guests visiting from out of town. Not only is the house incredible, the tour provides historical information about the Hill family and the contributions James made. If you have time, make the short walk to the cathedral to check it out too.

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