Indigenous traditions thousands of years old, Swedish immigrant structures, and railroading pioneers—no matter the topic, Minnesota has played a pivotal role in American history. Whether your interests lie in the Great Lakes or national historic riverways, here are just a few of the monumental locations that shed light on the North Star State’s epic story.
Courtesy of J. Borden/NPS
Pipestone National Monument
Pipestone National Monument boasts historic pipestone quarries that have been visited by Native Americans for over 3,000 years who mined the red pipestone for ceremonial pipes. Twenty-three tribal nations are affiliated with the site’s history and today work alongside the National Parks Service to ensure the cultural integrity of the monument remains intact and sacred according to Native American customs.
Courtesy of N. Barber/NPS
The best way to immerse into Pipestone’s history is to watch a quarrier mining the stone in real time, which is why Pipestone offers quarry digging and pipe crafting demonstrations. Coming mainly from the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Nebraska, the site’s quarriers do not just mine and craft red pipestone for learning opportunities, but because their lifestyles and beliefs still depend on this practice.
Beyond these demonstrations, Pipestone National Monument also offers hands-on activities, three exhibits and a short introductory film at the visitor center.
Split Rock Lighthouse
Located on the shores of what is considered one of the most dangerous waters in the world, Split Rock Lighthouse has been guiding seafarers on Lake Superior since 1910. After experiencing a decline in use during the midcentury, the lighthouse was brought back to its former glory in 1976 and since then has been welcoming visitors and highlighting the landmark’s significance in Great Lakes maritime history.
Courtesy of Explore Minnesota
Begin a tour at the visitor center which features an introductory film; exhibits on famous Lake Superior shipwrecks, artifacts and general facts about the lighthouse; and a museum store. Finish your visit off with the Keeper’s Tour—a 60-minute guided tour of the lighthouse and keeper’s house. Not to mention, visitors will get stunning cliffside views of the largest of the Great Lakes.
Minnehaha Depot
Also called Princess Depot because of its gingerbread canopy style, Minnehaha Depot was located on the first railroad line west of the Mississippi River and is a testament to Minnesota’s role in the nation’s railroad history. Between Memorial and Labor Day, visitors can step inside the depot to view exhibits featuring early railroad history and several artifacts. The park also features pristine gardens, several walking paths, and picnic tables, making it a great location for several activities.
Courtesy of Minnesota Historical Society
St. Croix National Scenic Riverway
The St. Croix National Scenic Riverway is composed of the St. Croix and Namekagon rivers, covering 200 miles of crystal waters and lush forests. While today the site offers paddling, camping, fishing, and several other activities, its significance in human history began more than 10,000 years ago.
Courtesy of Van Tatenhove/NPS
Located along the Minnesota and Wisconsin border, the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway was an especially important landmark for the Dakota and Ojibwe peoples, whose lives depended on the riverway for trading, transportation, and food sources. During the height of colonization, the riverway was popularly used for fur trading and then later in the 19th century for logging. Today, St. Croix travelers can experience these historical moments via centuries-old log cabins, archeological sites, and much more.
Gammelgården Museum of Scandia
Minnesota’s Gammelgården Museum of Scandia is a premier location to immerse in the region’s Swedish history and immigrant heritage. On-site, visitors will be treated to a plethora of tour options, immersive cultural events, Swedish artifacts, and of course, historical structures.
Courtesy of Gammelgården Museum of Scandia
Located in Scandia just outside of the Twin Cities, the museum highlights Swedish settlement to the region dating back to the 1850s. These early settlers established many different businesses and cultural places significant to the region at the time, from farms and sawmills to churches and schools. Many of these sites still exist which can be found at Gammelgården. Stop by Invandrar House, which was one of the first immigrant houses in the region and features many architectural features like a 12-pane glass window and hand-forged door hinges from Sweden. Other on-site historic buildings include the Gammelkyrkan (Old Church), Prastgard (Pastor’s House), Ladugarden (Old Barn), and Stuga (Peasant Home).
