History & Education

There's no better place to learn about the Mississippi River's place in Minnesota history... in our country's history...  than at one of Minnesota's many historical sites and centers.  Bring your kids, grandkids, sweetheart, scout troop, social club or classroom on a field trip that is sure to delight.  Learning is the first step to understanding and treasuring this awesome natural resource.  Come, hear her stories!

Minnesota's National Great River Road Interpretive Centers:  
These Centers have been designated as National Great River Road Interpretive Centers by the National 10-State Mississippi River Parkway Commission for their remarkable presentation of Mississippi River stories.  The Minnesota collection is part of a 10-State Network of Great River Road Centers, so when you've checked off all of our Minnesota sites from your list, head to another river state to see how our stories connect us to the past and to our neighbors...
  
     Lake Itasca State Park, Park Rapids
     Forest History Center, Grand Rapids
     Mill City Museum, Minneapolis
     Historic Fort Snelling, St. Paul
     Minnesota History Center, St. Paul
     The Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul
     National Mississippi River & Recreational Area Visitor's Center, St. Paul 
     National Eagle Center, Wabasha
     10-State Listing of Great River Road Interpretive Centers - Headwaters to the Gulf


Other Important Mississippi River Historic Sites & Centers:

Headwaters Region:
Beltrami County History Center / James J. Hill Depot, Bemidji
Fireplace of States, Bemidji

Northwoods Region:
Cass Lake Museum & Lyle's Logging Camp, Cass Lake
White Oak Rendezvous, Deer River

Crossings Region:
Croft Mine Historical Park - Crosby
Crow Wing County Historical Society Museum, Brainerd
Minnesota Military Museum, Camp Ripley
Northern Pacific Depot, Aitkin

Scenic Region:
Charles A. Lindbergh Home Site & Museum, Little Falls
Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Memorial Museum & Home Site, Little Falls
Oliver H. Kelley Farm, Elk River
Stearns History Museum, St. Cloud

Metro Region:
Alexander Ramsey House, St. Paul
Ard Godfrey House, Minneapolis
Carl Kroening Interpretive Center, Minneapolis
James J. Hill House, St. Paul
Sibley House, St. Paul
Minneapolis Riverfront District - St. Anthony Falls Heritage Trail / Stone Arch Bridge
   *   2008 Minneapolis Riverfront District Brochure - This edition features the riverfront as a birthplace and first place, highlighting the many firsts that occured along this stretch of the river that impacted the city, state, region, nation and world.

Bluffs Region:
Bunnell House, Winona
Goodhue County Museum, Red Wing
LeDuc Estate - Hastings
Minnesota Marine Art Museum, Winona
Old Frontenac, Frontenac
Pickwick Mill, Winona
Polish Cultural Institute, Winona
Wabasha County Museum, Lake City
Watkins Heritage Museum, Winona
Winona County Historical Museum, Winona