The Minnesota History Center is a museum and library in St. Paul that tells the story of Minnesota’s history. It was founded in 1982 by the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) after they continued to grow from their original form and needed a bigger space to house their artifacts and tell the stories of years past about the city of St. Paul and the state of Minnesota.
The Minnesota Historical Society has a mission to connect people with history and share the state of Minnesota’s history with its current residents. The Society has been around since 1849 playing an important role in Minnesota’s culture, tourism, and education; located here in St. Paul. They strive to provide St. Paul residents with award-winning programs, exhibitions, and events.
Minnesota History Center Exhibits
- 1968
The featured exhibit at the Minnesota History Center Museum is “1968”. At the exhibit, you’ll experience the year of 1968 coming back to life. With Vietnam era helicopters and the Olympic torch. There is a political commentary from the ‘68’ campaign trail, and you can also take a look at the vintage fashions and household items from the era. Don’t forget to check out the Apollo 8 Capsule replica too. The exhibit is accompanied by a book written by St. Paul, Minnesota’s own Brad Zellar. Brad is a well-known pop-culture writer in St. Paul, MN.
- Renewing What They Gave Us
Renewing what they gave us is a Native American artist in residence exhibit running until April 22nd. Here you’ll find artwork from five Native American artists hand selected by the Native American Artist in Residence Program committee. The residency is intended to revive the knowledge, technique, and lifeways associated with traditional Native American art, through a grant by the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation. This program has been around since 2014 and continues to blossom.
Minnesota History Center Events and Programs
- Sisterhood of War
The Sisterhood of War lecture will take place on April 10th from 7-8 p.m. Join the author of the book Sisterhood of War: Women in Vietnam, Kim Heikkila as she talks about the 9,000 or so women who served as nurses during the Vietnam War. She explains how even though these women could not fight in combat they still suffered injuries and death on a daily basis while trying to mend our troops back together. The lecture is free to the public.
- Minnesota Jazz Legends: The Elders
On April 22nd from 2-4 p.m. the Minnesota Jazz Legends: The Elders will be performing an amazing show. These St. Paul jazz legends have achieved both local and national recognition. The show will be set in a live radio/concert format just like the old days. You’ll be able to feel the musical environment of St. Paul, Minnesota in the latter half of the 1900’s. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for kids aged 5-17. They are also available at a 20 percent discount for MNHS members.
So take a day trip down to the Minnesota History Center of St. Paul and you’ll have a good old time. That’s for sure.
***Bonus*** If you’re looking to have a little summer fun you should consider catching a St. Paul Saints baseball game with the family in Downtown St. Paul Minnesota at CHS Field.