Courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society
Raise a glass (or maybe a muffin or a slice of bread) to downtown Minneapolis’ Mill City Museum, which is among 20 nominees for USA Today’s Best History Museum award.
The museum, a Minnesota Historical Society site, opened right on the banks of the Mississippi—across the yard from the Guthrie theater—in 2003. It was designed within the walls of the Washburn A Mill ruins, whose interior had been completely engulfed in a 1991 fire. Bringing the historic mill building back to life, the museum offers a variety of exhibits and events where visitors can learn about Minneapolis’ history as a flour milling hub during the 19th and 20th centuries—plus the city’s deep connection to the Mississippi River. The museum also offers a rooftop observation deck, a beloved Flour Tower multimedia show, and rotating displays of work from local artists.
Courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society
“Getting nominated for the title of Best History Museum is an honor and speaks to the hard work of Mill City’s staff,” says Dave Stevens, Mill City Museum site manager. “This is our fourth consecutive year nominated, and we have been blown away by the public’s support in the contest.”
Mill City supporters can vote for the museum online, once a day, in the USA Today Readers’ Choice poll. Voting is open now through Feb. 18.
“It’s very meaningful to know that guests feel such a strong bond with the museum and that the way we tell the story of Minneapolis resonates with our visitors,” Stevens says. “We are very thankful that this gives us an opportunity to shine a light on our museum.”
In addition to longstanding installations like the Flour Tower, the museum also hosts deeply researched exhibits on specific topics. Currently, guests can check out “Women with Taste: Culinary Visionaries of the Twin Cities,” which showcases women who shaped the state’s food scene. There are also hands-on activities for kids, book signings, live demonstrations in the museum’s baking lab, and other events—like a hot chocolate brownie baking demonstration on Jan. 25 and a free STEM Family Day on Feb. 28.
To learn more, visit mnhs.org/millcity.
Courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society
