Accessibility

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Accessible parking

  • Limited accessible parking is available free of charge (with permit) at the parking meters at the History Center entrance drive off Kellogg Blvd.
  • Additional accessible parking is available for $6 ($4 for members) in our public parking lot off Kellogg Blvd.
  • Distance from parking lot to information desk is 483 feet (about 1.5 city blocks). Benches are available along the path inside and outside the building.
  • Curbs into the History Center from parking lot, sidewalk, and drop off zone all have cut offs.
  • More information about parking and directions

General

  • Service dogs welcome.
  • First aid kits and AEDs available.
  • Staff trained in first aid.
  • All gender family restrooms are available on all public floors.
  • A private room is available for nursing parents; inquire at the ticketing desk on the first floor.

For visitors with mobility disabilities

  • The Minnesota History Center is accessible to visitors with disabilities or strollers. Elevators and ramps serve all public areas including the 3M Auditorium.
  • Wheelchairs and strollers are available at no charge on a first-come, first-served basis from the ticketing desk on the first floor. An electric scooter is available with valid ID.
  • All public restrooms include accessible facilities and diaper-changing stations. 
  • Seating (benches, armchairs) is available in most exhibits and in the exhibit hallways.
  • An adjustable height changing table is located on the third floor in the middle all gender family restroom, inside of the Minnesota's Greatest Generation exhibit. Information about how to operate the table (PDF).

For visitors who are blind or have low vision

  • Braille signage for restrooms.
  • Exhibits often have hands-on displays that may be of interest to visitors who are visually impaired.
  • Lighting in the exhibit galleries is dimmed to protect the collections.

For visitors who are deaf or hard of hearing

  • ASL interpreters are available for school groups, special programs, and events upon request with minimum 3 weeks notice. For school group ASL requests, please email fieldtrips@mnhs.org. For general visitor ASL requests, please email boxoffice@mnhs.org.
  • All multimedia throughout the exhibits is closed captioned.
  • Assistive Listening Devices are available for all programs in the 3M Auditorium. Please ask a staff member to retrieve one for you.
  • Printed information available on site.

For visitors with sensory or communication disabilities

  • To help families prepare for a visit, we've partnered with the Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) to create a Social Story (PDF).
  • A private room is available for nursing parents or families that need to a quiet room. It is located near the restrooms on the exhibit floor.
  • Our staff has received training on Autism Spectrum Disorders to better understand and assist with the challenges and opportunities that may arise during a visit.

For visitors living with dementia and their care partners

  • Take a self-guided Memory Walk through the exhibits. We've selected our "best bets" to visit for people living with dementia and provided conversation starters for each object. Download the Memory Walk (PDF).

MNHS statement on accessibility

The History Center welcomes all visitors. We recognize the diverse needs of our audience and strive to offer accessible programming to enable all visitors to explore this historic site.

However, accessibility for guests with limited mobility can be challenging at our historic sites due to historic and natural features. With advance notice, we will make every effort to respond to access needs.

Our goal is to provide as much information as possible to guests before their visit to any of our sites and museums.

If you have additional questions about accessibility or other needs, please contact the History Center at 651-259-3000 or email infodesk@mnhs.org.