Minnesota History Center facts for kids
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| Established | 1992 |
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| Location | 345 W. Kellogg Boulevard Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States |
| Type | Historical society |
| Public transit access | Bus: 16, 21, 94 |
The Minnesota History Center is an exciting museum and library located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It's the main office for the Minnesota Historical Society, a group that helps people learn about Minnesota's past.
You can find the History Center on Kellogg Boulevard, between the famous Mississippi River and the Minnesota State Capitol building. Before this building opened in 1992, the Minnesota Historical Society used to be in a different building, and even before that, they were in the basement of the State Capitol!
Many different events happen here, like concerts, dance shows, and talks. Lots of meetings and parties also take place. Every year, about 75,000 students visit the History Center to learn about history.
Building Design
The Minnesota History Center was designed by a company called Hammel Green and Abrahamson (HGA). They got ideas from famous Minnesota places like Fort Snelling, the St. Paul's Cathedral, and the Minnesota State Capitol.
People who planned the center wanted it to be a place that would "draw the public in" and "fire the imagination." They hoped it would be a lively spot where people could learn about the past.
After ten years of planning and almost three years of building, the History Center opened in October 1992. The building has a big dome in the middle and two wings that make it look like an "L" shape. The front of the building faces the Capitol, and a large lawn is on the other side. You enter through cool bronze doors on the west side.
Art in the Building
The building's budget included money for special artworks. These art pieces are built right into the History Center!
- Charm Bracelet: This artwork is on the floor of the main rotunda (a round room). It looks like a broken piece of jewelry. Each of its ten "charms" shows something important about Minnesota. For example, there's a tractor for farming and a tepee for the Dakota tribe. Other charms represent things like nature, family, and technology.
- Glass Etchings: Look up above the main entrances! You'll see glass etchings by Brit Bunkley. These are designs carved into the thick glass, showing different symbols.
- Minnesota Profiles: Andrew Leicester created these terra cotta columns. They stand where an old street once crossed the courtyard. Each column shows a native tree and has sculpted faces of 140 volunteers!
What's Inside?
The Minnesota History Center is one of 26 places managed by the Minnesota Historical Society. It's where the Society's main offices are, along with all their amazing collections. There's a huge library and about 44,000 square feet of museum space for exhibits.
The museum has fun, interactive exhibits that they create themselves or that travel from other places. They also offer historical programs and talks. You'll find conference rooms, a big auditorium, a café, two gift shops, and about 12,800 square feet of classroom space.
More than half of the 427,000 square foot building is underground! This underground space is mostly used for storage. The Minnesota History Center holds over 1 million historical items. These include old tools, books, photos, maps, paintings, and government records. They have about 100,000 square feet of storage space, with shelves reaching over 25 feet high! There's also a special lab where experts repair and take care of these valuable objects.
Gale Family Library
The Gale Family Library is on the second floor of the History Center. It's a great place for anyone interested in history or family research. The library has two main rooms: the Weyerhaeuser Reference Room and the Ronald M. Hubbs Microfilm Reading Room. The library often holds classes to teach people how to do historical and family research.
