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Located in Saint Paul, the Minnesota History Center contains permanent and rotating exhibits focusing on Minnesota history. Many of the exhibits are geared toward the youngest of visitors. This museum is a good starting point when beginning to explore all the historical offerings in our state. If you find your family gravitating toward a particular subject, The Minnesota Historical Society, who maintains the museum, may have options for digging deeper at other sites (they maintain 26 historical sites and museums total) or in the Gale Library, which is attached to the history center and free to visit.

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• Science Museum of Minnesota
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• Minneapolis Institute of Art
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• 50 Ways to Explore the Twin Cities With Kids this Summer – A Printable Checklist
• Bank of America Museums On Us
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• Minnesota Museums & Historic Sites List.

What’s FREE at the Minnesota History Center?

Free Admission Options:

The Minnesota History Center is not FREE, but there are some free exhibits, occasional free programs and other free offerings.

• Children ages 4 and under and Minnesota History Society members are always FREE.
• Traditionally Museum admission is FREE for everyone from 3:00–8:00 pm every Tuesday. However, the History Center is currently opened for reduced hours and Tuesdays are not included in open hours.  We will watch for increased hours during 2023.
• The History Center participate in the Bank of America Museums on Us program. During the first weekend of each month, Bank of America cardholders can get free admission.
• Minnesota Historical Society members receive FREE admission. We consider this one of the better membership options for families and a great experience gift.

Irvine Gallery

In 2018, the FREE Irvine Gallery opened. This rotating exhibit explores community stories and issues affecting Minnesotans today. The 678-square foot space on the museum’s first floor will showcase MNHS-developed exhibits as well as exhibits created by outside organizations. Entrance to the Irvine Gallery is free, and the gallery will be open during regular History Center hours.

Gale Family Library

The Gale Family Library holds Minnesota Historical Society archives and is dedicated to the history of Minnesota and Minnesota family lineage. If you are interested in learning about your family or doing a research project, this library is a great resource. There is no fee to use the library. Keep in mind that the library is non-circulating, so you can’t check the information out and return it.

From the Minnesota Historical Society

The Minnesota Historical Society is a non-profit educational and cultural institution established in 1849. MNHS collects, preserves and tells the story of Minnesota’s past through museum exhibits, libraries and collections, historic sites, educational programs and book publishing. Using the power of history to transform lives, MNHS preserves our past, shares our state’s stories and connects people with history. Visit us at mnhs.org.

Useful Links:

• Pre-purchase Museum Tickets
• Current MN History Center exhibits
• Minnesota History Center Parking and Directions
• Find and Register for Upcoming MNHS Events Here